SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union, Feb. 18 (PIA) – The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in Region 1 is ramping up its operations to reduce drug supply and tighten border control in the Ilocos Region.
 
Throughout 2023, PDEA conducted 17 marijuana eradication operations and 26 high-impact drug seizures, demonstrating their aggressive stance against illegal drugs.
 
Their efforts yielded significant results with the arrest of 101 high-value drug targets in the region last year.
 
According to PDEA-Region 1 Regional Director Joel Plaza, the destruction of the sources and tight control over the region’s perimeter will result in reduced demand.
 
“The priority of law enforcement agencies is to run after and eradicate the sources and manufacturers of illegal drugs,” Plaza said.
 
He added, “If we destroy the sources, arrest identified pushers, and seal our gates then we can lower or stop the distribution.”
 
On the other hand, PDEA teamed up with partner government instrumentalities and law enforcement units to establish security mechanisms to counter the entry and spread of illegal drugs in the region. 
 
An airport inter-agency drug interdiction task group was institutionalized at the Laoag City International Airport in Ilocos Norte last year through a memorandum of agreement.
 
“We want to double the security feature and management capability of partner agencies in preventing and handling possible drug cases in our international airport,” Plaza said.
 
Plaza also noted that in addition to the installed intel across seaports in the region, PDEA is working on capacitating communities and fisherfolks across the coastal areas about smuggling trends.
 
As of 2023, seminars for the said coast watch were already staged in Santa, Ilocos Sur; San Juan, La Union; and Burgos, Ilocos Norte. (JCR/AMB/CGCC, PIA Region 1)