P2.19-M Marijuana Plants Uprooted Along Ilocos Sur-Benguet Border

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) uprooted and destroyed an estimated P2.19 million worth of marijuana plants during a two-day operation conducted along the disputed border of Ilocos Sur and Benguet, authorities said. The joint operation took place from September 10 to 11. This operation was part of ongoing efforts to eradicate illegal drug production in the region. The PDEA emphasized the swift intervention in areas where marijuana cultivation was identified, highlighting the authorities' firm resolve to protect the safety and well-being of the community. The uprooted marijuana plants were burned on-site. Drug issues remain a significant social concern in the Philippines, with the government implementing various measures to combat them. In particular, the cultivation and trafficking of illegal drugs in rural areas pose major challenges to maintaining peace and order. The PDEA and PNP plan to continue such joint operations to disrupt drug supply chains. The operation was carried out in a geographically challenging area along the border of Ilocos Sur and Benguet. It has been noted that the terrain in these provinces can make them conducive to hidden drug cultivation. This latest seizure underscores the need for enhanced surveillance and enforcement in such regions.