Hospital nurse arrested in drug buy-bust in Cagayan
Anti-drug agents initiate an inventory of the seized shabu from a Cagayan Valley Medical Center hospital nurse caught in a buy-bust operation in Tuguegarao City. —PDEA COLLAGE PHOTO
TUGUEGARAO CITY, CAGAYAN, Philippines — A 32-year-old registered nurse was arrested after he yielded three sachets of alleged shabu in a buy-bust operation by anti-drug agents and police at 2:54 p.m. on Wednesday, June 17.
The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency regional office, with police officers, arrested a certain Noel, 32, a registered nurse at the Cagayan Valley Medical Center and native of Libertad in Abulug, Cagayan.
He yielded the shabu sachets, weighing some five grams, after he tried to sell to a poseur-buyer. The seized shabu has been estimated to be worth P34,000 in street value.
READ: P111.52-million shabu packs found in Cagayan, Ilocos Norte waters
The suspect also yielded his mobile phone, allegedly used in the transaction, buy-bust money, and bank cards.
He was brought to the Tuguegarao City police station for temporary custody.
READ: Police operations in Cagayan yield shabu haul worth almost P500 million
Police have been preparing charges for illegal possession and sale of prohibited drugs under the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act (RA 9165).
It could be recalled that some health workers at the hospital have been arrested for drugs, including a nursing aide who was nabbed for possessing shabu in Solana, Cagayan, in November 2024.
Hospital officials have yet to comment on the latest arrest, but they previously condemned health workers involved in illegal drugs and announced random testing for their personnel. /cb
