LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – The Benguet Provincial Police Office (BPPO) has confiscated about P84 million worth of illegal drugs from January to November this year as part of its intensified campaign against illegal drug, criminality, insurgency, and recovery of loose firearms in Benguet.
Confiscated were 243,501 fully grown marijuana plants; 78,085 marijuana seedlings; 153,037.35 grams dried marijuana stalks; 14,850 grams dried marijuana; 5,000grams marijuana seeds; 465.9357 grams shabu; 2.2018 grams marijuana fruit toppings, and 34 kilograms of marijuana bricks.
A total of 73 buy-bust operations, 50 marijuana eradication, eight search warrants, nine warrants of arrest, two checkpoints and 10 police responses were conducted that resulted in the drug haul.
Arrested were 82 most wanted persons with one listed in the national level, three in the regions, 38 in the provinces, and 40 in the municipalities.
In its anti loose firearms campaign, the PNP recovered six, while 91 were surrendered and six in violation of Republic Act 10591 or a total of 103.
On its anti-insurgency campaign, the Benguet police was able to convince 18 New Peoples Army members to surrender and yield their long firearms, one submachine gun, one pistol and one grenade.
“This year has been very extraordinary, and unpredictable, but in its truest sense, has brought out in all of us the best owing to a true test of resiliency. It was full of trials and challenges, but was nonetheless accompanied by bountiful accomplishments and accolades,” said Benguet Police Director Elmer Ragay.
Ragay said the accomplishments were a result of a result of a strong police-community partnership in the fight against criminality to assure the safety, peace, and progressive lives of the people in the province.
“Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, the practice of Bayanihan Spirit is still embedded in our hearts as everyone is challenged to do their own part to lend a hand to those who are in need,” Ragay added.