SAN FERNANDO CITY—Ten newly graduated drug enforcement officers in Region had their baptism of fire when they and their senior officer busted a local drug syndicate operating in barangay Pagdalagan Norte, San Fernando City last week.

The 10 are newly appointed intelligence officers belonging to the “Mapalad” class who graduated from the PDEA Academy and trained as drug enforcement officers.

The operation, under the direct supervision of Superintendent Jane Aunzo, regional director of the Presidential Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in Region 1, arrested one Mardie Ubungen, Alias “Ricky”, a local pusher of shabu (Metamphetamine hydrochloride) operating at Pagdalagan Norte, San Fernando, La Union.

Ubungen was caught on the night of June 23 in his house at Pagdalagan Norte through a buy-bust operation.

He was arrested when he personally received the marked money in exchange for two heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets containing white crystalline granules weighing about .01 grams each with a street value of about P150.

The suspect confessed that he received the prohibited drug from his cousin Marvin Ubungen, who is in the watchlist of drug personalities of PDEA Region 1. Marvin is considered as a notorious drug pusher.

The team brought Mardie to the PDEA regional office for temporary detention, documentation and case filing for violation of Section 5 Article II of Republic Act 9165, otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drug Act of 2002.

The concerted effort of PDEA and other law enforcement agencies was considered part of the authorities’ pursuits of the vision to have a Drug Free Philippines by 2010. (PNA)