MANILA, Philippines – Ikinatuwa ng Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) ngayong Huwebes ang pagsama sa kanila ng Korte Suprema sa listahan ng mga ahensyang awtorisadong humingi ng search warrants para sa paglabag sa Republic Act 9165 o ang Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
"We received a letter from Court Administrator of the Supreme Court, informing us that the agency is now officially sanctioned to file applications to conduct lawful searches and seizures within the territorial jurisdiction of the Regional Trial Courts of Manila and Quezon City," sabi ni PDEA director general Arturo Cacdac Jr.
Kabilang sa mga ahensyang maaaring humingi ng search warrant ay ang National Bureau of Investigation, Philippine National Police at ang Anti-Crime Task Force para sa paghahalughog sa kasong illegal gambling, illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, Intellectual Property Code, Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2001, Tariffs and Customs Code, paglabag sa RA 9165, and other relevant laws.
Tanging mga executive judge at vice-executive judge ng regional trial court sa Maynila at Quezon City lamang ang maaaring maglabas ng search warrant.
"PDEA is thankful to the High Court, particularly to the Office of the Court Administrator, for allowing us to file applications for search warrants with executive judges. We fully recognize that time is of the essence when securing lawful searches...with the issuance of the resolution, PDEA was given more teeth in enforcing the anti-drug law," sabi ni Cacdac.