Anti-illegal drug authorities confiscated approximately ₱214.2 million worth of illicit substances during 88 enforcement operations nationwide from October 22 to 29, according to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).
The nationwide sweep covered buy-bust operations, interdictions, search and seizure actions, marijuana eradication efforts, and the recovery and turnover of illegal substances. These operations led to the arrest of 120 individuals, comprising 55 pushers, 22 drug den visitors or clients, 15 den maintainers or owners, 15 den employees, 12 drug possessors, and one importer.
The seized contraband included 3,193.01 grams of shabu, 13,217.80 grams of high-grade marijuana (kush), 49,473.37 grams of dried marijuana leaves, 1,600 marijuana seedlings, 2,000 marijuana plants, 741.69 milliliters and 111 grams of marijuana oil, and 33,674 grams of ketamine.
Major interdiction highlights involved the interception of 33,674 grams of ketamine across four separate operations at the Clark Freeport Zone in Mabalacat City, Pampanga, between October 22 and 27. Additional interdiction efforts recovered 7,113.80 grams of marijuana kush in Pasay City on October 26 and 5,994 grams of the same substance in Parañaque City on October 23.
Meanwhile, buy-bust operations yielded substantial shabu seizures, including 911.39 grams seized in Zamboanga City on October 23 and 577.07 grams confiscated in Tagbilaran City, Bohol, on October 28, with a suspect arrested in each operation.
Authorities also conducted marijuana eradication missions in the Benguet municipalities of Kapangan, Bakun, and Kibungan, successfully uprooting and destroying 2,000 mature plants and 1,600 seedlings from local cultivation sites.
PDEA Director General Isagani Nerez stressed the agency’s dedication to maintaining aggressive enforcement and inter-agency collaboration to keep drugs out of neighborhoods.
“Every kilogram of dangerous drugs intercepted and every drug personality apprehended represents a disruption to the operations of illegal drug networks. We will remain relentless in pursuing those behind the illegal drug trade, strengthening our enforcement capabilities, and closing avenues used to transport and distribute dangerous drugs. Our commitment is to ensure that these efforts translate into safer and more secure communities for every Filipino,” Nerez insisted.
The agency urged the public to report illegal drug activities via the PDEA hotlines at 0995-354-7020 and 0931-027-8212, or through its official Facebook page, “Isumbong Mo sa PDEA,” as part of efforts toward a safer and drug-free Bagong Pilipinas.