The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency has revealed that illegal drug trading remains rampant in 318 barangays in Quezon.
In a joint meeting with the Provincial Development Council (PDC) and Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Council (PADAC) in Lucena City, Quezon, PDEA said that as of Aug. 20, 2022, out of the 1,242 barangays in the province, 747 are considered drug-cleared, 132 are certified drug-free, and 45 are scheduled to be drug-free.
PDEA said 651 grams of suspected shabu valued at P4,492,367 were seized from January to September this year, aside from the biggest drug haul of 1.5 tons in Infanta in March.
Shabu supply in Quezon comes from Muntinlupa City, Taguig City, Paranaque City, Las Pinas City, and Quezon City, PDEA added.
Illegal drug hot spots are the towns of Tiaong and Candelaria and Lucena City.
In Lucena City, Barangays Ibabang Dupay, Market View, Cotta, Ibabang Iyam, and Gulang-Gulang are critical drug areas; Malabanban Norte and Malabanban Sur in Candelaria, and Lusacan, Talisay, Lalig in Tiaong.