48 arrested in Pangasinan; P.5 M illegal drugs seized

By Mar T Supnad

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan -- Police recently arrested of 48 persons involved in illegal drugs and seized  P530,000 worth of illegal drugs.

Senior Supt. Sterling Blanco, new officer in charge provincial police chief met chief of police and provincial staff to reduce distribution of marijuana and shabu in Pangasinan by running after distributors.

A veteran intelligence officer and recipient of various awards, Blanco said that once the supply of illegal drugs is lessened this will also mean reduction of pushers since they cannot buy illegal drugs anymore.

The OIC provincial police director reported in two weeks under his stint, a total of 35 operations were conducted, resulting to arrest of 48 persons and the confiscation of 79.79 grams of shabu worth P518.245 and 140.302 grams of dried marijuana leaves worth P10,522.

He reported 46 cases have been filed in courts.

Blanco said he also launched information drives in elementary and secondary schools which students, teachers, barangay officials and members of non-government organizations attended.

A graduate of the Phil. Military Academy, Blanco was designated by Camp Crame itself two weeks ago as head of Pangasinan police, ending the more than a year of squabble between Gov Amado Espino and Senior Supt. Marlou Chan, former provincial police director.