Police Regional Office 1 (PRO 1) arrested 78 drug suspects and seized suspected illegal drugs worth ₱14.59 million during 71 anti-illegal drug operations conducted across the Ilocos Region from 15 to 21 July.

PRO 1 reported that the operations resulted in the confiscation of 261.838 grams of suspected shabu, 40,047.67 grams of dried marijuana leaves, and the destruction of about 40,000 fully grown marijuana plants.

Among the operations was a buy-bust conducted on July 19 in Cabugao, Ilocos Sur by the Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit 1 (RPDEU 1), with assistance from the Regional Intelligence Division, Ilocos Sur Police Intelligence Unit, Cabugao Municipal Law Enforcement Team, and the Cabugao Municipal Police Station, in coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Region 1 (PDEA-RO1).

The operation led to the arrest of a high-value individual and the seizure of about 55 grams of suspected illegal drugs with an estimated standard drug price of ₱374,000.

The biggest operation during the period was carried out on July 21 along the boundary of Sugpon, Ilocos Sur and Kibungan, Benguet, where the Ilocos Sur Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit and other law enforcement agencies conducted a marijuana eradication operation.

Authorities discovered two marijuana plantation sites containing an estimated 40,000 fully grown marijuana plants and about 40 kilograms of dried marijuana leaves with stalks, with a combined standard drug price of ₱12.8 million.

Police destroyed the marijuana plants on-site in accordance with operational procedures, while follow-up investigations are ongoing to identify and arrest those responsible for maintaining the plantations.

PRO 1 Regional Director PBGen. Jovencio S. Badua Jr. said police will sustain intensified anti-illegal drug operations and continue working with partner law enforcement agencies to combat the illegal drug trade across the Ilocos Region.