ERADICATION. Authorities destroy an estimated PHP2.1 million worth of marijuana plants and seedlings in San Gabriel town, La Union on Nov. 7, 2023. The Ilocos Police Regional Office (PRO-1) confiscated a total of PHP17.9 million worth of illegal drugs in their 847 operations in 2023. (Photo courtesy of PRO-1)
MALASIQUI, Pangasinan – The Ilocos Police Regional Office (PRO-1) confiscated a total of PHP17.85 million worth of illegal drugs in their 847 operations in 2023.
Some PHP17.6 million worth of shabu, PHP242,249 worth of marijuana and PHP5,040 worth of marijuana kush were confiscated in the region last year, Lt. Col. Benigno Sumawang, deputy chief of PRO-1 Regional Community Affairs Development Division, said in a forum hosted by the Philippine Information Agency-Ilocos Region on Thursday.
PRO-1 data show that around 2,600 grams of shabu, 2,020 grams of marijuana, and 3,600 grams of marijuana kush were confiscated from different operations.
Also, 956 suspects of drug-related crimes were arrested while 206 surrendered, the same data showed.
Aside from the reduction in the supply of illegal drugs through operations, Sumawang said the police force is also directed to help drug users by encouraging them to undergo a rehabilitation program.
Meanwhile, Sumawang said the number of eight focus crimes in the region declined by 13 percent last year to 1,130 from 1,292 in 2022.
Rape cases topped the list at 401, followed by theft, 268; physical injuries, 153; murder cases, 125; robbery, 89; car hijacking, 50; homicides, 37; and motorcycle hijacking, seven. (PNA)
