SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union (PIA) –  The Police Regional Office 1 (PRO-1), together with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), confiscated illegal drugs amounting to P17,930,543.12 in the Ilocos Region in 2023.

PLTCOL Benigno Sumawang, chief of PRO-1 Public Information Office, said a total of 847 joint operations were conducted in the previous year which resulted in the confiscation of some 2,600.455 grams of shabu, 2,020.076 grams of marijuana, and 3.6 grams of marijuana kush.

Confiscated shabu has a standard value of P17,683,094; marijuana with P242,409; and marijuana kush is worth P5,040. 

The concerted effort of the authorities to combat illegal drugs in the region led to the arrest of 956 suspects.

Further, Sumawang noted that authorities conducted house visitations among identified drug personalities.

“We do not launch operations right away, instead we visit the person first, then let them surrender, and later encourage them to undergo the rehabilitation program of the government,” Sumawang said.

 As a result, there were 206 persons who used drugs (PWUDs) that voluntarily surrendered last year.

 Sumawang highlighted how PWUDs who submit to the rehabilitation programs of the government can be reformed and reintegrated back into communities. (JCR/AMB/CGCC/PIA Region 1)