SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union (PIA) – Joint law enforcement units apprehended two high-value individuals (HVIs) and confiscated P720,000 worth of dried marijuana in a buy-bust operation conducted in Bacnotan, La Union, on Jan. 8.
The operation was conducted at Sitio Paratong in Barangay Poblacion by operatives of the Police Regional Office (PRO) 1 and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Region 1.
The buy-bust operation arrested two male suspects, aged 24 and 21, both from Santol, La Union.
The suspects were in possession of six kilograms of dried marijuana, packaged in six cling-wrapped bundles.
Several non-drug evidence items were also seized along with the drugs.
The confiscated items have been turned over to the PRO-1’s forensic unit for laboratory examination, while the suspects are in the custody of the Bacnotan Municipal Police Station for processing.
This drug bust comes a day after a similar operation on Jan. 7, where PRO-1 confiscated P748,000 worth of suspected shabu in Urdaneta City, Pangasinan.
Commitment to combating illegal drugs
These operations show the regional police’s ongoing effort to address the illegal drug trade in the region.
PRO-1 Regional Director, PBGen Lou Evangelista, commended the work of the operatives, highlighting their consistency in implementing the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) anti-illegal drug campaign.
“The series of accomplishments on illegal drugs reflects PRO-1’s commitment to disrupting the illegal drug trade and ensuring the safety and security of the communities we serve,” Evangelista said.
PRO-1’s efforts to combat drug-related crimes in the region emphasize targeting HVIs involved in the illegal drug trade.
Policy on illegal drugs
The operation was conducted in line with Republic Act (RA) No. 9165, otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, which provides the framework for the control and prevention of dangerous drugs in the country.
Under the said law, the possession of dangerous drugs, such as marijuana, is a violation of Section 11 of RA 9165, stating that any person who, unless authorized by law, possesses any dangerous drug shall be sentenced with life imprisonment to death and a fine of P500,000 to P10,000,000.
The Philippine National Police holds anti-illegal drug operations in adherence to the provisions of RA 9165, ensuring that all procedures are in line with the law while ensuring that the rights of the accused are upheld. (AMB/CCMT, PIA La Union)
