LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – Some eight drug personalities were successfully arrested while more than P19 million worth of illegal drugs were confiscated and destroyed by combined police operatives and anti-narcotics agents during a week-long intensified anti-illegal drug operation conducted in the different parts of the Cordillera.
Police authorities said that the apprehended suspects were found in possession of a combined total of 52.86 grams of suspected shabu and 4,000.76 grams of dried marijuana leaves with fruiting tops with a total Standard Drug Price (SDP) of P839,539.20.
Among the arrested individuals, four were identified as High Value Individuals while the other four were listed as Street Level Individuals.
Further, the Baguio City Police Office arrested four drug personalities, followed by the Benguet Police Provincial Office (PPO) and Kalinga PPO with two arrests each.
The suspects, along with the seized evidence, were turned over to the respective arresting units for documentation and proper disposition, while charges for violation of R.A. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, are being prepared against them.
Moreover, the six separate marijuana eradication operations conducted in the provinces of Benguet and Kalinga resulted in the discovery of 17,350 pieces of fully grown marijuana plants and 128,025 grams of dried marijuana stalks and fruiting tops with an overall SDP of P18,833,000.00.
All confiscated illegal drugs were burned following proper documentation while follow-up operations are being conducted to locate other marijuana plantation sites and apprehend cultivators.
Additionally, the police force continues to conduct barangay visitations and informational campaigns to bolster anti-illegal drugs efforts. By Dexter A. See
