BUSTED. Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency operatives arrested Pangasinan's top drug suspect Yuri John Salazar (right) through a search warrant implementation on Tuesday (Jan. 26, 2021). Four other suspects in the suspected drug den in Barangay Mabanogbog, Urdaneta City were also nabbed. (Photo by Ahikam Pasion)
URDANETA CITY – Operatives of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) arrested on Tuesday the province’s top drug personality along with four other suspects through a search warrant.
In an interview, PDEA-Pangasinan assistant provincial director Rechie Camacho identified the search warrant’s subject as Yuri John Salazar, who allegedly also runs a drug den disguised as a shanty in his compound.
Also arrested during the operation were Justin John Untalan, Rolando Corpuz, John Dominic Apongol, and Antonio Dizon, who were in the area when PDEA operatives searched Salazar’s residence in Barangay Mabanogbog this city.
“Itong mga suspects po natin ay identified na runners. Ginagamit niya (Salazar) para magbenta ng iligal na droga, sila ang tatakbo at makikipagpalitan (The suspects were identified as runners. Salazar used them to sell illegal drugs, they do the trading and exchange),” he said.
Authorities recovered 14 heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets containing suspected shabu in various areas of Salazar’s place, weighing about 16 grams, worth around PHP108,000.
Also recovered were three cellular phones, two weighing scales, and assorted drug paraphernalia for repacking and sniffing shabu.
Salazar is the province’s top 1 in the drug watchlist because of the range of his operation.
“Nag-ooperate siya sa eastern Pangasinan. May mga times na pati sa Ilocos ay nagbebenta rin yan (He operates in the eastern Pangasinan. Sometimes, he went as far as Ilocos in selling illegal drugs),” Camacho said.
He added Salazar freely travels to sell and source his shabu supplies because of his fruit and vegetable dealership business.
The suspects are currently under PDEA custody, while charges for violation of the Republic Act 9165, also known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, have been filed against them. (PNA)
