Illegal drug activities in Sierra Bullones are nearly eradicated.

A year after the national government’s anti-drug drive was launched, police in Sierra Bullones said that 19 of its 22 villages have been cleared of the drug trade.

According to municipal police chief Sr. Insp. Ronnie Conarco, these areas were declared drug-free by the town’s Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Councils.

Remaining drug personalities in the town are now confined in three barangays namely Poblacion, Bugsoc and Matin-ao, said Conarco.

These villages are now under heavy monitoring as part of authorities’ bid to clear the entire town of illegal narcotics activities.

Meanwhile, a curfew implemented through a municipal ordinance remained in place throughout the town, said Conarco.

Authorities are also carrying out stringent enforcement of the ban on drinking alcoholic beverages in public places particularly at night.

So far, only the town of Batuan declared itself free of illegal drug activities.

In March, Batuan Mayor Dodo Jumawid said that the municipality was already drug-free based on assessment of the town’s Municipal Anti-Drug Abuse Council and Municipal Peace and Order Council.

Jumawid had previously admitted that maintaining the drug-free distinction would be a tall order as drug personalities from other towns could expand operations into Batuan.

This has prompted the local government unit to further tighten security by recording entries into the town, particularly of those on board motorcycles with no plate numbers. (WM)