Ilocos: The Police Regional Office (PRO) 1 in Ilocos successfully confiscated PHP17.7 million worth of illegal drugs over a weeklong period from December 11 to 17 through a series of operations conducted throughout the region.

According to Philippines News Agency, the initiative resulted from a coordinated effort involving 27 anti-illegal drugs operations, leading to the arrest of 26 suspects. These operations were part of an intensified campaign against illegal drug activities in the region, as confirmed by Maj. Divina Albino, the chief of the PRO-1 information office. The operations led to the seizure of a total of 110.30 grams of shabu and 14.08 grams of marijuana.

In a phone interview, Albino highlighted the significant contributions of various provincial police offices. The Ilocos Sur Police Provincial Office (PPO) carried out six operations that resulted in the arrest of three suspects and the discovery and uprooting of approximately 85,150 fully grown marijuana plants. The Pangasinan PPO was notably active, conducting 18 operations, which led to the seizure of 58.66 grams of shabu and the arrest of 20 suspects. Meanwhile, the La Union PPO detained three suspects in separate operations.

Brig. Gen. Dindo Reyes, the PRO-1 director, reiterated the commitment of the police force to eliminating the drug threat in the region. "The large quantity of confiscated illegal drugs proves our commitment to eliminating the drug threat in Ilocos. We will continue enforcing laws to dismantle criminal groups threatening to destroy the peace in the region," he stated.