PDEA intensifies anti-drug ops, arrests 101 high-level dealers

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) has intensified its anti-drug operations across the country, seizing PHP176.4 million worth of illegal drugs from April 25 to May 2.

During this period, PDEA conducted 62 operations resulting in the arrest of 101 high-level drug pushers and traffickers, aligning with President Marcos Jr.'s directive to target major players in the drug trade.

The confiscated substances included 12,381.51 grams of shabu; 260 pieces of ecstasy tablets; 72,178 grams of marijuana kush; 14,007.94 grams of dried marijuana leaves; 17,950 grams of dried marijuana stalks; and 6,575 pieces of marijuana plants.

Operations were most successful in regions such as NCR, Central Visayas, Caraga, Soccsksargen, and Cordillera Administrative Region, with notable seizures including 11 kilos of shabu in Caloocan City and 72.178 kilograms of 'marijuana kush' at the Manila International Container Port.

PDEA Director General Isagani Nerez praised the efforts of drug law enforcers for making significant progress against illegal drugs, emphasizing that all operations are intelligence-driven to target organized drug groups and their networks.

The PDEA also awarded PHP7 million to 16 informants through its Operation: Private Eye (OPE) program, which encourages citizens to report drug activities.

Nerez emphasized that public engagement is crucial in the fight against drug trafficking and cited the 'Bagong Pilipinas' campaign as a platform for participatory governance.