P775 million drugs seized in Metro Manila since March – NCRPO

MANILA, Philippines — Over P775 million worth of illegal drugs were confiscated from at least 5,900 suspects in Metro Manila in the past three months, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) reported yesterday.

NCRPO chief Maj. Gen. Felipe Natividad said the five police districts in the region conducted 3,226 anti-narcotics operations from March 1 to June 8.

Natividad said police have seized shabu amounting to P771.9 million, marijuana worth P3.7 million, cocaine valued at P148,400 and Ecstasy worth P13,600.

“The campaign against drugs is one of our priorities. Indeed, we have accomplished a lot since I assumed office, and the public can expect a more invigorated and systematized operations to curb illegal drugs in Metro Manila,” Natividad said.

A total of 5,908 drug suspects have been arrested during the operations.

Natividad said the NCRPO is all set for Oplan Double Barrel’s endgame strategy, which seeks to reinforce the education-based approach of the government in the war on drugs.==

“We will not rest on our laurels despite the accomplishments we have achieved in the campaign against drugs. We will focus on arresting drug dealers and rescuing victims of drug abuse,” he said.

Police said the drug war would continue until President Duterte steps down from office on June 30.

P2.3 million cocaine intercepted 

Meanwhile, anti-narcotics agents from the Bureau of Customs and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport intercepted yesterday a shipment containing P2.358 million worth of cocaine at a warehouse in Pasay.

The shipment declared as motorcycle spare parts was bound for Hong Kong.

Authorities said around 445 grams of cocaine were concealed inside a motorcycle exhaust pipe.

The contraband was shipped by Jane Castro, of Moonwalk, Las Piñas City, and consigned to Chan Yuen with address at 237 A. Castle Peak Road, Cheung Sha Wan, Hong Kong.

Customs district collector Mimel Talusan said the drugs were turned over to the PDEA for proper disposition.

Talusan said an investigation is underway to arrest those involved in the drug shipment, which is a violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act and the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act. – Rudy Santos, Robertzon Ramirez