Authorities seized more than P604 million worth of illegal drugs and arrested 126 drug individuals during a week-long series of operations across the country, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) said.
PDEA, together with the Philippine National Police (PNP) and other law enforcement agencies, conducted 88 successful anti-drug operations from May 21 to 28 as part of the government’s intensified campaign against illegal drugs.
The operations led to the confiscation of illegal drugs valued at P604.41 million.
Among those arrested were 66 suspected drug pushers, 29 drug den visitors or clients, 13 drug den owners or maintainers, nine drug den employees, eight possessors, and one drug user.
The operations included 70 buy-busts, six search warrant operations, three interdiction operations, four search and seizure operations, and five marijuana eradication operations.
Authorities seized 66,010.03 grams of shabu, 114.03 grams of cocaine, 789 grams of cocaine powder, 606 Ecstasy tablets, 40 grams of concentrated marijuana oil, 10 grams of ketamine, and 184 grams of an unidentified brown substance.
They also confiscated 478,005.10 grams of dried marijuana leaves, 946 grams of kush, 424,788 marijuana plants, and 260,180 marijuana seedlings.
Among the major operations was a May 23 anti-drug operation in Barangay Uling, Naga City, Cebu, where authorities seized 9,387.56 grams of shabu and arrested two suspects.
Another operation on May 26 in Barangay Navarro, General Trias City, Cavite, resulted in the confiscation of 1,100 grams of shabu and the arrest of two drug personalities.
In Legazpi City, Albay, operatives also seized 1,000 grams of shabu and arrested two suspects during a buy-bust operation in Barangay 18, West Poblacion, on May 23.
PDEA said marijuana eradication operations in remote areas of the Cordillera Administrative Region accounted for a large portion of the seized marijuana plants, seedlings, and dried leaves.
PDEA Director General Isagani Nerez commended the operatives involved, saying the operations showed the government’s continuing effort to dismantle drug networks nationwide.
“This week-long anti-drug campaign reflects our unwavering commitment to protecting Filipino communities from the threats of illegal drugs,” Nerez said.
“These accomplishments are significant; they are only part of our continuing mission. The PDEA, in close coordination with the PNP and other law enforcement agencies, remains resolute in dismantling drug networks across the country,” he added.
Nerez also urged the public to report suspected drug-related activities in their communities, assuring informants that their identities would remain confidential.
“Bawat sumbong ninyo ay maaaring makapagligtas ng maraming buhay mula sa kapahamakan at pagkasira ng kinabukasan. Huwag po kayong mag-atubili. Mananatiling kumpidensyal ang inyong pagkakakilanlan,” he said.