Another notorious member of the Toquero Drug Group was arrested by combined operatives of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) following a buy-bust operation in Ilocos Sur on November 17, 2014.

PDEA Director General Undersecretary Arturo G. Cacdac, Jr. identified the suspect as Michael Pimentel, alias Segundo, a 32-year-old targeted drug personality in Ilocos Region and a resident of Barangay Barangobong, Santa Lucia, Ilocos Sur.

Before midnight, agents of PDEA Regional Office 1 (PDEA RO1) Ilocos Sur Special Enforcement Team under Director Adrian Alvariño, in collaboration with elements of Santa Lucia Municipal Police Station and Ilocos Sur Provincial Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Group (PAIDSOTG) arrested Pimentel after he sold a plastic sachet of methamphetamine hydrochloride, or shabu, to a poseur-buyer in Barangay Ayusan, Santa Lucia, Ilocos Sur.

When frisked, Pimentel yielded two additional sachets of shabu and marked bills amounting P2,000 that were used as buy-bust money.

Pimentel will be charged for violation of Section 5 (Sale of Dangerous Drugs), and Section 11 (Possession of Dangerous Drugs), Article II of Republic Act 9165, or The Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

Three months ago, April De Guzman y Balatero, 44, single, also a member of the Toquero Drug Group, and her cohort, Joebert Manzano, also 44, an incumbent barangay councilor of Brgy. Balingaoan, Candon City, Ilocos Sur, were nabbed by PDEA RO1 operatives during an entrapment operation in Brgy. San Jose, Candon City, Ilocos Sur.