PRO-CAR seizes P1.22M drugs, arrests five in Cordillera operations

BAGUIO CITY — Police in the Cordillera region seized illegal drugs worth P1,225,840 and arrested five suspects, including three high-value individuals, in separate anti-drug operations on March 11, authorities said.

The operations were carried out across Benguet, Baguio City, and Kalinga, according to the Police Regional Office Cordillera Administrative Region (PRO-CAR).

In Itogon, authorities arrested a man listed as the No. 5 regional most wanted person for violating the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, also known as Republic Act No. 9165.

Police said the suspect was arrested in Barangay Dalupirup through a warrant of arrest served by operatives from the Baguio City Police Office, along with the Regional Intelligence Unit 14 and Benguet Police Provincial Office.

In another operation in La Trinidad, police arrested a 28-year-old high-value individual after he allegedly sold 10 kilograms of dried marijuana stalks worth P1.2 million to an undercover operative during a buy-bust operation in Barangay Tawang.

The operation was conducted by the Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit and La Trinidad police in coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in the Cordillera region.

Two more suspects were arrested in separate incidents in Baguio City.

A 25-year-old woman, also classified as a high-value individual, was apprehended after police caught her allegedly stealing inside a garage in Alfonso Laba. A body search later led to the recovery of 1.60 grams of suspected shabu valued at P10,880.

In another buy-bust operation, a 29-year-old man, also listed as a high-value individual, was arrested after selling 1.3 grams of suspected shabu worth P8,840 to an undercover officer in Barangay ABCR. Police also recovered drug paraphernalia.

Meanwhile, in Tabuk City, authorities arrested a 36-year-old street-level individual after he allegedly sold four sachets of suspected shabu weighing 0.9 grams with an estimated value of P6,120 during a buy-bust operation in Barangay Bulanao.

The operation involved joint personnel from the Tabuk City Police Station, Kalinga Police Provincial Office, and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.

Authorities said the suspects and confiscated evidence were turned over to their respective operating units for documentation and proper disposition.

All suspects will face charges for violations of Republic Act No. 9165, police said.