By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan
MANILA – The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) on Tuesday said it confiscated PHP24.95 million worth of illegal drugs from April 18 to 25.
The PDEA said 51 operations nationwide also resulted in the arrest of 52 individuals, seizing from them 3,115.45 grams of shabu, 50 grams of cocaine, 4.94 grams of ecstasy, 4,760 grams of dried marijuana leaves, and 14,600 marijuana plants
PDEA Director General Isagani Nerez said the operations, executed through strategic buy-busts, routine checkpoint inspections, and intelligence-driven interdictions, resulted in the neutralization of illegal drug activities in villages, city centers and transit points.
The regions with major accomplishments were the National Capital Region (NCR), Region 7 (Central Visayas), Region 8 (Eastern Visayas), and Mimaropa.
The cities of Pasay in NCR, Lapu-lapu in the Visayas and Dipolog in Mindanao were dentified among the major hubs for the latest seizures.
Earlier, Nerez said the numbers are not just figures but “represent lives saved, communities protected and the firm resolve of law enforcement agencies” to reclaim the future of the Filipino people from the grip of illegal drugs.
“PDEA remains at the forefront of the national anti-drug campaign, fully committed to the President’s vision of a Bagong Pilipinas (New Philippines), where law and order prevail, and every Filipino enjoys a safe and secure environment,” Nerez said in a statement.
He said the PDEA supports other law enforcement agencies, civil society organizations and local communities in the fight against illegal drugs.
PDEA’s performance metrics reflect a sustained and aggressive posture in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s bloodless anti-drug drive, he added.
The anti-narcotics body said it will continue to intensify intelligence-driven operations aimed at high-value targets and organized drug groups.
Nerez lauded the unwavering dedication of the operating teams, emphasizing that the aggressive stance against illegal drugs will continue. (PNA)
