PDEA seizes PHP21.43B worth of drugs in 2024, up 32%

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) announced that it confiscated PHP21.43 billion worth of dangerous drugs and controlled precursors and essential chemicals in 2024, a 32% increase from the previous year's total of PHP16.24 billion.

In 2024, PDEA seized significant amounts of various drugs including 2.55 tons of shabu, 939.73 kilograms of kush, 32.74 kilograms of cocaine, and 66,540 ecstasy tablets, alongside 3.09 tons of dried marijuana leaves and bricks.

The agency reported conducting 38,545 operations that led to the arrest of 51,264 drug suspects, with PHP5.52 billion worth of illegal drugs seized during PDEA-led operations and PHP13.10 billion by the Philippine National Police alone.

PDEA highlighted its efforts in targeting high-level drug traffickers and organized criminal networks involved in the illegal drug trade, emphasizing enhanced inter-agency coordination among law enforcement agencies.

Additionally, PDEA said PHP518.4 million worth of assets representing proceeds from illegal drug activities were subjected to civil forfeiture and freeze orders since 2022, with portions referred to the Anti-Money Laundering Council for financial investigation.