In a significant crackdown on illegal drugs, the Ilocos Police Regional Office (PRO-1) reported the seizure of over PHP1 billion worth of narcotics in 2024. This haul included 139,336.32 grams of shabu, 51,123.11 grams of marijuana, 70,400 marijuana seedlings, and 298,053 uprooted marijuana plants across the region. The operations, totaling 1,242, led to the arrest of 1,399 individuals, marking a substantial increase from the PHP17.85 million seized in 2023.
A notable portion of the drugs was seized in June, with PRO-1 confiscating PHP556 million worth of shabu and marijuana. This included 81 packs of shabu, weighing 80,961.34 grams and valued at around PHP550.5 million, which were found floating in the ocean off San Juan, Caoayan, and Magsingal in Ilocos Sur. Additionally, on June 29, another pack of shabu weighing 997.51 grams and worth PHP6.8 million was recovered off the coast of Barangay Daclapan, Cabugao, Ilocos Sur.
In response to these findings, the Philippine National Police intensified their Bantay-Dagat efforts, urging unit commanders to work closely with local fishermen to intercept any illegal drug caches. In August, fishermen discovered floating containers with shabu worth PHP141 million. The largest single seizure was 16.5 kilograms of shabu, valued at PHP112 million, found by a fisherman 40 nautical miles west of Barangay Patar, Bolinao, Pangasinan on August 18.
Other significant seizures included 885.93 grams of shabu worth PHP6 million found by fishermen near Candon City, Ilocos Sur, and smaller amounts seized in buy-bust operations in Urdaneta City, Pangasinan, and from high-value individuals in La Union and Pangasinan. Additionally, PRO-1 confiscated 2,053 grams of marijuana plants, 6,170.27 grams of dried marijuana leaves, and 2,000 marijuana seedlings. Two marijuana plantations worth PHP2.4 million were destroyed in Sugpon, Ilocos Sur on August 30, with herbicides used to prevent regrowth.
Throughout the year, PRO-1 continued its aggressive stance against illegal drugs, confiscating PHP36.6 million worth of shabu and marijuana in April, PHP11.6 million in May, PHP32.1 million in September, PHP4.46 million in October, and PHP15.3 million in November. These operations resulted in numerous arrests, contributing to the safety and security of the Ilocos Region, as emphasized by PRO1 director Brig. Gen. Lou Frias Evangelista.