BY: VANESSA BUGTONG
In the first week of the year, police targeted a marijuana plantation in Barangay Tacadang, Kibungan, Benguet on January 6.
The combined forces of PDEA and PNP destroyed 750 marijuana plants worth 150,000 pesos.
Although no cultivators were arrested, the operation is part of the authorities’ continued efforts against illegal drugs.
In 2024, 335 drug personalities were arrested in operations conducted by PDEA and PNP Cordillera.
Weekly marijuana eradications were also conducted.
The total value amounted to over 1.8 billion pesos.
Though lower than the 4.62 billion pesos in 2023, authorities claim this reflects their effectiveness in reducing the drug supply and demand in the region.
According to PLTCOL Carolina Lacuata, Chief of the Regional Public Information Office, “We are intensifying our eradication efforts with PDEA and other agencies, which is why we are seeing more successful operations.”
Authorities also focused on community-based recovery and wellness programs, with 112 former drug dependents completing the program in 2024.