P202K illegal drugs seized, two arrested in Cordillera

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — Police seized an estimated P202,516 worth of suspected illegal drugs and arrested two men in separate anti-drug operations in Benguet province and Baguio City, the Police Regional Office-Cordillera Administrative Region (PRO CAR) said.

The operations were conducted on Oct. 4.

In Benguet, police and anti-drug operatives discovered 500 fully grown marijuana plants and 2,500 seedlings during eradication operations in Barangay Kayapa in Bakun and Barangay Sagubo in Kapangan, the regional police office said.

The marijuana plants and seedlings had an estimated standard drug price of P200,000, according to PRO CAR.

The operations involved personnel from various units of the Benguet Police Provincial Office, along with the Regional Mobile Force Battalion 15, Regional Intelligence Unit-14 and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-CAR.

In a separate operation in Barangay Pinget, Baguio City, two men aged 23 and 21 were arrested after police allegedly found them using illegal drugs.

Police Station 2 personnel responded to information about an alleged drug-related activity in the area, with assistance from a barangay kagawad, the police said.

Authorities recovered two sachets containing suspected shabu weighing a combined 0.37 gram and with an estimated standard drug price of P2,516, as well as drug paraphernalia.

PRO CAR said the two men were classified as street-level individuals and were placed under the custody of the respective lead operating units for documentation and proper disposition.

They are expected to face charges for alleged violations of Republic Act No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

PRO CAR Regional Director Brig. Gen. Noel B. Vallo directed police units to sustain anti-drug operations while observing due process, operational procedures and respect for human rights.

The police said its broader objective was to protect communities, prevent the spread of illegal drugs and maintain peace and safety across the Cordillera.