PDEA: P180.64 M worth of illegal drugs seized in nationwide week-long operations
By Chito Chavez
Government anti-narcotics agents seized a total of P180.64 million worth of illegal drugs during a weeklong nationwide operations that started on Nov. 14, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) said.
Based on the report, a total of 109 alleged high-value target (HVT) drug alleged were nabbed while the seized illegal drugs include shabu, cocaine, marijuana, and the chemicals used to manufacture dangerous drugs.
“This is not just a successful operation; it is a clear and resounding message to all drug syndicates, pushers, and users: there is no safe haven for you in the Philippines. Our nets are closing tighter, our intelligence is sharper, and our resolve is unbreakable,’’ PDEA Director General Isagani R. Nerez noted.
“The unified collaboration between PDEA regional units and the PNP has resulted in a productive enforcement week, safeguarding our communities and our future,’’ he added.
Nerez narrated that the key accomplishments in the said anti-narcotics drive include the arrest of 69 pushers, 17 drug den visitors/clients, nine drug den owners/maintainers, three possessors, nine drug den employees, one clan laboratory chemist and one laborer.
He stressed that the operations showcased a diverse tactical approach, including 64 buy-bust operations, nine large-scale marijuana eradication, the service of two search warrants, one search and seizure, one recovery of illegal drugs and one search and seizure of dangerous drugs in the jail facility proving that the law enforcement strategy is adaptive and comprehensive.
“The numbers of illegal drug seizures speak for themselves, but the true victory lies in the lives we have saved from the harm caused by drug addiction and the communities we have made safer. We are relentlessly pursuing both street-level peddlers and the high-value targets who support the illegal drug trade,” Nerez said.