LAGAWE, Ifugao – The police has discovered a new modus operandi of illegal drugs trading in the province.
During the meeting of the Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Council , the Provincial Anti- Illegal Drug Special Task Operation Group (PNP-PAIDSTOG) reported that some ingenuous Ifugaos are using their “Taluwan” (Tuwali Ifugao term for a pouch containing ingredients for betel nut chewing or “moma” ) to camouflage the conduct of their illegal drugs activities.
The report bared that this modus operandi was discovered in some towns of Ifugao and also in Nueva Vizcaya where many Ifugao farmers and gardeners deliver and sell their farm products to middlemen.
Marijuana which is being produced in some towns of the province is sold or bartered with shabu and the cash payment or shabu change hands through the use of the “taluwan”. The tulawan provides a very good disguise for the shabu since the lime ingredient of the moma has similar appearance with that of shabu, the police stated.
The PNP-PAIDSTOG said they have identified the people involved in this illegal trade and they tried conducting operations but yielded negative results as apparently the subjects were tipped-off.
They further admitted that they cannot make effective and efficient moves against illegal drug activities because of lack of funds and personnel. There is no PDEA in the province. They also shared that they cannot make arrest of big time drug operators because they do not have the money of at least P10,000 for marked money for their buy bust operations.
Hearing their predicaments, Governor Denis Habawel advised the PNP-PAIDSTOG to make a project proposal on their needs for provincial government to determine how it can assist PNP to carry out more effectively their campaign against illegal drugs in Ifugao./(JDP/DBC- PIA CAR, Ifugao)
