Police seize suspected shabu, marijuana in Benguet drug operations

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — Police arrested four people and seized suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride, commonly known as shabu, as well as marijuana plants and seedlings in separate anti-illegal drug operations in Baguio City and Benguet on Oct. 5 and 6, authorities said.

In La Trinidad, Benguet, three men were arrested on Oct. 6 after police responded to information about an alleged drug session in Barangay Pico, the Police Regional Office Cordillera Administrative Region (PRO CAR) said.

Police said the men were caught allegedly using illegal drugs and that officers seized three sachets of suspected shabu weighing a total of 4.01 grams, along with drug paraphernalia.

The three suspects, all classified by police as street-level individuals, were brought to the La Trinidad Municipal Police Station for documentation and further disposition, PRO CAR said.

They may face charges under Republic Act 9165, the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

Also in Benguet, police recovered 500 marijuana seedlings in Sitio Pilong, Barangay Badeo, Kibungan, on Oct. 6 during an eradication operation, authorities said.

The operation involved the Kibungan Municipal Police Station, Benguet Provincial Mobile Force Companies, the provincial drug enforcement and intelligence units, regional intelligence units and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Cordillera.

A day earlier, on Oct. 5, police in Baguio City arrested a 53-year-old man after he allegedly sold two sachets of suspected shabu weighing about 1 gram during a buy-bust operation in Barangay AZCKO, PRO CAR said.

The operation was conducted by the Baguio City Drug Enforcement Unit, City Intelligence Unit and Police Station 7, with the PDEA Baguio-Benguet office.

Police also reported finding 750 fully grown marijuana plants in Barangay Badeo, Kibungan, on Oct. 5 as part of a separate eradication operation.

PRO CAR said the operations formed part of its continuing campaign against illegal drugs and efforts to maintain public safety in the Cordillera.

The suspects remain entitled to due process, and any criminal liability will be determined by the courts.