Over P8 billion drugs seized in 9 days

MANILA, Philippines — Anti-narcotics agents have confiscated more than P8 billion worth of illegal drugs in a span of nine days as authorities focused on anti-crime operations after quarantine restrictions were eased in Metro Manila and other parts of the country, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Archie Francisco Gamboa reported yesterday.

“The recovery of illegal drugs amounting to P8.395 billion in less than two weeks is unprecedented. This only proved that the PNP is relentless in the war on drugs,” Gamboa said.

He commended the Drug Enforcement Group and the Police Regional Offices for the accomplishment.

Operatives of the National Capital Region Police Office seized an estimated P18.25 million worth of shabu in separate stings in the cities of Caloocan, Navotas and Marikina on June 12.

The anti-narcotics operations conducted by police in Taguig and Parañaque on May 22 and 24, respectively, resulted in the seizure of P325.6 million worth of drugs.

On June 4, a Chinese and two Filipina cohorts were apprehended in Marilao, Bulacan for alleged possession of P5.63 billion worth of shabu.

From June 12 to 13, Western Visayas police confiscated P1.22 million worth of drugs in Bacolod City. The Calabarzon police also recovered drugs amounting to P306,000 in Rizal.  The Caraga police seized P300,000 worth of drugs in Butuan City.

Authorities confiscated P2.5 billion worth of shabu in Cavite. Prior to this, members of the Central Luzon police recovered shabu with an estimated street value of P1.8 million in Guiguinto, Bulacan.

“The PNP continues to be in the frontline of ensuring public safety by going after drug rings. There will be no let-up in the campaign against drugs even as we are facing the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic,” Gamboa said.