PRO CAR seizes P6.3M drugs, arrests HVI

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — Police in the Cordillera Administrative Region seized illegal drugs worth P6.3 million and arrested a high-value drug suspect in coordinated operations in Baguio City and Benguet on Jan. 19, authorities said.

In Baguio City, a 51-year-old man listed as a high-value individual was arrested in a buy-bust operation in Barangay Irisan after allegedly selling two sachets of suspected shabu weighing 54.3 grams, with an estimated standard drug price of P369,240.

The operation was led by the Police Regional Office Cordillera Administrative Region’s Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit, with support from Baguio City Police units, regional intelligence and special operations teams.

The suspect and seized evidence were turned over to the regional drug enforcement unit for documentation and disposition. He will face charges under Republic Act No. 9165, the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

Separately, police discovered 10 marijuana plantations in Benguet towns, uprooting 21,050 fully grown marijuana plants and seizing 14,330 grams of dried marijuana leaves and stalks with fruiting tops, valued at P5,929,600.

The eradication operations were conducted in Barangay Kayapa in Bakun, and Barangays Tacadang and Badeo in Kibungan, with the participation of municipal police, provincial intelligence and drug units, mobile force companies, regional intelligence units, and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency–CAR.

All marijuana plants were destroyed at the sites.

Police said investigations are continuing to identify additional plantations and hold those responsible accountable.