Around P147.25 million worth of illegal drugs was seized following the arrest of 79 alleged drug personalities during the nationwide anti-narcotics operations from April 11 to 18, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) stated.

In a statement, the PDEA highlighted the agency’s sustained and resolute campaign against illegal drugs across the country with the “remarkable 69 anti-drug operations conducted in just one week.’’

The PDEA noted that the week-long illegal drug haul includes 19,281.62 grams of shabu; 11,000 grams of dried marijuana leaves; 49,460 marijuana plants; 984 grams of ketamine; 8,760 milliliters of ephedrine and 1.37 grams of marijuana kush.

The PDEA assured that it will continue to strike in the whole country with its operatives working in close coordination with the Philippine National Police (PNP), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and other law enforcement agencies.

Among the most significant operations were the 1,000 grams of shabu in Barangay Minuyan, San Jose del Monte, Bulacan during a buy-bust operation by PDEA Region III and PNP DEG; the staggering 16,000 grams of shabu seized by the Highway Patrol Group Samar, Samar Police Provincial Office- Police Drug Enforcement Unit and PDEA Samar Provincial Office in Barangay New Mahayag, City of Catbalogan, Western Samar, which marked the largest single-week seizure in the region.

The other confiscations are the 300 grams of shabu in Guizo, Mandaue City by PDEA Regional Office VII during a series of well-coordinated drug stings; 984 grams of ketamine intercepted at Port Area, Manila by PDEA-National Capital Region-Seaport Interdiction Unit, PDEA K9 Unit, Bureau of Customs and PDEA RO NCR Manila District Office, successful eradication of 13,200 marijuana plants in Benguet, followed by the similar operations in Kalinga and Ifugao, “collectively uprooting over 49,000 marijuana plants.’’

“These results are the product of relentless intelligence work, surveillance, and inter-agency coordination,” PDEA Director General Isagani R. Nerez pointed out. 

“Every arrest made and every gram seized represents a community made safer. But more importantly, these numbers are a clear reminder that we must remain vigilant and unwavering in our efforts,” he added.

The PDEA also commended the efforts of its regional offices, “including PDEA-CAR for its massive marijuana eradication campaigns in the Cordillera region, PDEA 4B - MIMAROPA for intercepting illegal drugs in Puerto Princesa and Calapan, and PDEA Region IV-A for dismantling syndicates operating in Cavite and Rizal.’’

“PDEA evolves as drug syndicates innovate their illegal drug trafficking methods. The interdiction operations at key ports, airports, and borders-such as the one led by NAIA Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group (IADITG)-continue to yield high-value targets, preventing the inflow of synthetic drugs and precursors like ephedrine,’’ Nerez maintained.

“The volume of seizures reflects anti-drug operational success, PDEA reiterates that the campaign against illegal drugs is not just about numbers or statistics. It is about communities saved from the grip of drug addiction, families reunited, and lives rebuilt towards the realization every Filipino vision “Bagong Pilipino, Bagong Pilipinas,” he noted.

The agency also urged the public to continue supporting the campaign by reporting illegal drug activities through PDEA’s Operation Private Eye Hotline 0917-867-7332 and social media platforms through “Isumbong Mo Sa PDEA” Facebook Page; PDEA Hotlines 0917-867-7332 and 0931-027-8212.