By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan
MANILA – The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) has seized PHP328.58 million worth of illegal drugs during weeklong operations from Sept. 12 to 19.
In a statement Thursday night, PDEA Director General Isagani Nerez said agents conducted 74 anti-illegal drug operations that led to the arrest of 105 individuals and the confiscation of 47.8 kg. of shabu, 14,710 marijuana plants, 3 kg. of dried marijuana leaves, and 1,000 seedlings.
Of the 105 arrested suspects, 52 pushers, 21 drug den visitors/clients, 16 drug den owners/maintainers, 8 possessors, 7 drug den employees, and one courier were neutralized.
One of the operations was a major drug interdiction effort at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 in Pasay City on Sept. 14 that resulted in the confiscation of 5,894 grams of shabu while another large-scale buy-bust operation in Sta. Clara, Batangas City on Sept. 16 yielded a massive haul of 40,000 grams of shabu and additional notable seizures including 515 grams in Tagum City, Davao del Norte; and 510 grams in Dauis, Bohol.
“This victory is not PDEA’s alone. It was made possible through the coordination of the Philippine National Police and other law enforcement agencies. This is the whole-of-nation approach in action. With the support of our citizens, we will continue to protect communities from the threat of illegal drugs” said Nerez.
Nerez said operations will be “sharper, smarter, synchronized, and strengthened by inter-agency collaboration.”
He also said these efforts underscore PDEA’s comprehensive strategy targeting all levels of the illegal drug trade, from street-level distribution to large-scale supply networks and local cultivation sites.
He, likewise, called on Filipinos to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities in their communities. (PNA)
