CORDILLERA - The Police Regional Office-Cordillera (PROCor) reported a significant drug haul over the past weekend, confiscating approximately PHP4.1 million worth of marijuana and suspected shabu.
According to Philippines News Agency, regional director of PROCor, the operations conducted on April 19 and 20 resulted in the arrest of five suspects across multiple locations including Abra, Kalinga, and Baguio City.
On April 19, operations in Abra, Kalinga, and Baguio City led to the seizure of drugs valued at PHP3.314 million. Notably, a 22-year-old male, identified as a high-value individual, and an 18-year-old male student were apprehended after selling suspected shabu valued at PHP5,440 to an undercover officer. An additional 11.11 grams of illegal drugs were recovered from their possession during the arrest.
The same day, two other male suspects, ages 35 and 47, were arrested in Barangay Irisan, Baguio City, for selling 15 grams of suspected shabu worth PHP102,000. Additionally, a 38-year-old female was detained in Middle Quirino Hill with 0.55 grams of suspected shabu, estimated at PHP3,740.
The operations also extended to marijuana eradication efforts in Kalinga province, where police destroyed 16,000 pieces of fully-grown marijuana plants, collectively valued at PHP3.2 million. A subsequent operation on April 20 in Barangay Loccong, Tinglayan, resulted in the destruction of 4,000 pieces of marijuana plants worth PHP800,000.
In the previous year, PROCor had confiscated illegal drugs worth approximately PHP4.62 billion, underscoring ongoing efforts to combat drug trafficking in the region.