THE Police Regional Office-Cordillera (PRO-COR) continues to engage the various community in the region to strengthen its information network, particularly in the presence of tourists who are allegedly involved in the sale and distribution of illegal drugs, such as marijuana.

Police Brigadier General Israel Ephraim Dickson, PRO-COR director, said this is the most effective measure the police can undertake when informed of possible transactions by those posing as tourists who engage in the sale and distribution of illegal drugs.

“Considering that our region is a tourist destination where foreigners, local tourists are frequenting our area. Now we are very thankful that our coordination with our local residents is effective because they are the source of our information, which is a good feedback mechanism from our constituents,” Dickson said.

In August this year, five drug couriers acting as tourists were arrested in a two-day anti-illegal drug operation following a five-day operation in Mountain Province that resulted in the confiscation of marijuana bricks valued at P4 million.

“From the moment we are informed by our constituents on the presence of suspicious individuals, that is the time where we conduct the necessary police intervention to capture these individuals and prevent the proliferation of illegal drugs here in our area,” the regional director added.

Aside from Benguet and Mountain Province, Kalinga is also identified as a source of marijuana after previous apprehensions were made on tourists who were engaged in the sale and transport of the said illegal drug.

“We are advising our locals to be aware of the presence of individuals in their area and for us to be able prevent any unlawful things in their area not only those involving drugs, but other crimes as well,” Dickson added.