The Police Regional Office-Cordillera reported last week there was a significant reduction in the supply of marijuana and its byproducts as a result of the one-time big-time operation called Oplan Herodotus since 2021.
Now on its third year, Oplan Herodotus implemented by PRO-Cor and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Cordillera resulted in the eradication of P149.145 million worth marijuana during anti-illegal drug operation from July 16 to 23.
PRO-Cor Director B/Gen. Devid Peredo, Jr. reported there were 29 marijuana eradication operations conducted by the PRO-Cor, PDEA-CAR, and the PNP Drug Enforcement Group Special Operations Unit destroying a total of 693,615 pieces fully grown plants, 35,560 pieces marijuana seedlings and 75,000 grams dried marijuana leaves and stalks in Benguet and Kalinga.
Oplan Herodotus 1 was conducted on Sept. 23 to 29, 2021 resulting in the destruction of 2,405,350 pieces fully-grown plants and 1,640,000 grams dried marijuana in Kalinga, Mountain Province, and Benguet. The street drug price was pegged at P678.8M.
Last year, the Oplan Herodotus 2 was conducted for 10 days where the operation yielded 1,952,435 pieces fully-grown plants and 940,869.24 grams dried marijuana in Benguet and Kalinga.
The street drug price of the marijuana plants and its byproducts was pegged at P502,244,240.
Peredo said there has been a significant reduction in the number of discovered fully grown and dried marijuana compared to data from previous years.
“This implies the anti-illegal drugs operations efforts are effective,” Peredo said, commending the efforts of the agencies and the strengthened anti-illegal drug efforts in the region.
Meanwhile, police arrested 10 drug personalities after being caught in possession of a total of 10.69 grams shabu, worth P72,692 after the implementation of separate anti-illegal drugs operations in Baguio City, Benguet, and Abra on July 16 to 23. – Ofelia C. Empian