P22.7-M shabu seized; 50 suspects nabbed from June 15-20: PNP

MANILA – Authorities seized around PHP22.7 million worth of suspected illegal drugs and arrested 50 suspects in intensified operations nationwide in a week.

In a statement Sunday night, Philippine National Police chief, Gen. Archie Gamboa commended the PNP Drug Enforcement Group (PDEG) and police regional offices for their sustained operations against the illegal drug trade in the country while the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) intensified its illegal drugs drive with buy-busts in Parañaque, Caloocan, Navotas, Quezon City, Marikina, Pasig, Manila, Taguig, and Las Piñas.

Based on reports, police units in coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) seized an estimated 2.6 kilograms of shabu worth PHP22,783,300 from June 15 to 20.

Among the highlights of week-long accomplishments of the PNP include the arrest of two drug suspects by officers of the District Drug Enforcement Unit of the Northern Police District for carrying PHP1.36 million worth of shabu in Caloocan City last June 15 and the confiscation of another PHP1.36 million worth of shabu from a drug suspect in a buy-bust launched by the Drug Enforcement Unit of the Tacloban City Police Office last June 19.

Last June 18, an 18-year-old drug suspect who considered as a high-value target was arrested along with his partner caught with PHP11.6 million worth of shabu in Barangay Singcang-Airport, Bacolod City, Negros Occidental.

Meanwhile, operatives of the Tinglayan Municipal Police Station (MPS) uprooted and burned on-site last June 15, around 13,500 fully grown marijuana plants worth around PHP2.8 million that were planted by unidentified suspects on a 1,100-square meter lot in Barangay Tulgao West, Tinglayan, Kalinga.

Also, a 60-year-old American national was arrested by local police and PDEA operatives for possessing seven sachets of marijuana leaves in Barangay Omawas, Maydololong, Eastern Samar on June 18.