ILOCOS POLICE SEIZE P92M IN DRUG RAIDS

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union—More than P92-million worth of drugs,
particularly shabu and marijuana, were seized by members of a special team
created last year to go after drug syndicates in the Ilocos.

This was announced by Chief Supt. Claudio Cabreros, the Ilocos regional
police director, during the observation of the first anniversary of the
establishment of the Regional Anti-Illegal Drug Special Operations Task
Group (Raidsotg) in June 2003.

Senior Supt. Dominador Ventura, the Raidsotg chief, reported that 2,522.79
grams of shabu, or methamphetamine hydrochloride) and 4, 636.52 grams of
dried marijuana leaves were confiscated in various operations in
Pangasinan, La Union, Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte.

Up to 388,517 marijuana plants were also uprooted and burned along with 200
marijuana seedlings, the report added.

Raidsotg filed in court 783 drug charges since it started operations.

The charges resulted in the conviction of Benjamin Alviento, identified the
leader of a notorious drug syndicate that operated in the Ilocos. Alviento
was arrested also in a drug buy bust.

Cabreros credited the success of the campaign against illegal drugs to the
increased participation and cooperation of community as well as local
officials.

As proof, Cabreros said the number of barangays affected by drugs in the
region has been reduced.

During its first anniversary celebration, the Raidsotg honored individuals
and organizations that helped in the campaign.

The Pangasinan police anti-illegal drug task group was chosen as the "best
provincial Aidsotg" while Laoag City and Mangaldan town in Pangasinan were
chosen the best in city and municipal levels.

The province of La Union, the capital city of San Fernando and the
municipality of Agoo were honored for having the "best antidrug abuse
councils, while Barangay Bari in Mangaldan emerged as the best in barangay
antidrug abuse council.

A special award was given to the Ilocos Sur police antidrug task force, the
"Kill Droga" Organization in Dagupan City and the Valero Foundation in San
Fernando City, both non-government organizations that sponsored antidrug
programs in the region.

Individuals awardees for promoting the campaign against drugs were Dr.
Antonio Agustin, Antonio Cuavera, Lemton Agricola, Chief Inspectors Harris
Fama and Reynaldo Tamondong, police officers Marvin Pascua, Augusto Cabello
Jr., Jimmy Numos, and Hector Flores.

Also honored were Insp. Eric Buenconsejo, Supt. Nestor Felix and Senior
Police Officer 4 Ernesto Baclagan.

Gov. Victor Ortega of La Union was the guest of honor and speaker during
the program. He also received the award for the province along with Senior
Supt. Samuel Diciano, the La Union provincial police director.