PRO-7 seizes P25.7M worth of illegal drugs in 3-day operations

The Police Regional Office in Central Visayas (PRO-7) announced on Saturday the seizure of P25.7 million worth of illegal drugs during a three-day regionwide anti-drug operation.

Elements of PRO-7 carried out their Simultaneous Anti-Criminality Law Enforcement Operation (SACLEO) from 11 to 13 April.

A total of 150 operations were conducted, leading to the confiscation of 3,583.63 grams of shabu with an estimated average market value of P24,368,684. Also seized were 7,000 pieces of marijuana stalks valued at P1,400,000.

The marijuana plantation was discovered in a remote, hard-to-reach mountainous area in Sitio Luna, Brgy. Sudlon II, Cebu City. The plantation was reportedly well-concealed and fully equipped with irrigation systems, indicating organized cultivation support at the site.

After months of surveillance and intelligence gathering, authorities launched an operation and destroyed the plantation on 11 April.

An investigation is now being conducted to identify and apprehend the individuals connected to the marijuana plantation.

Prior to this, authorities discovered and successfully eradicated a remote farmland containing 6,000 fully grown marijuana plants and 500 seedlings in Sitio Maraag, Brgy. Sudlon. Police burned down marijuana plants worth P1,220,000 during the buy-bust operation on 9 April.

A total of 172 individuals were apprehended across the region for alleged involvement in drug-related activities during the same period.

PRO-7 Regional Director Police Brigadier General Redrico Maranan expressed in a statement that these accomplishments bring the region one step closer to the goal of a drug-free and crime-resilient community.

"These accomplishment is not just measured by the volume of drugs seized or the number of arrests made — its measured by the peace we restore in our Barangays, the safety we bring to our neighborhoods, and the trust we continue to build with the public. Peace and Order are victories we achieve together," he added.

The police continue to encourage the public to actively take part in their fight against illegal drugs by staying alert and promptly reporting suspicious activities to the proper authorities.