MANILA: Operatives of the Philippine National Police-Drug Enforcement Group (PDEG) seized more than PHP1.2 million worth of kush (high-grade marijuana) and ecstasy in a buy-bust in Pasay City on Wednesday. In a report, PDEG chief Brig. Gen. Eleazar Matta said Mark Cedrick Nicolas, 26, was arrested during the operation along Service Road, Roxas Boulevard at about 5:50 a.m. Seized from Nicolas were about 700 grams of kush with an estimated street value of PHP1.05 million and 100 ecstasy tablets with an estimated drug price of PHP170,000, as well as other pieces of non-drug evidence. "I'd like to underscore to everyone that the PNP DEG is serious about our mandate, which is to carry out a more comprehensive and well-coordinated battle against illegal drugs," Matta said. The suspect was brought to PDEG's Special Operations Unit-National Capital Region office while the pieces of drug evidence were turned over to the PNP Forensic Group at Camp Crame, Quezon City for laboratory examination. Meanwhile, police of ficers in Southern Metro Manila seized PHP3.3 million worth of illegal drugs in week-long operations. Citing the latest data, Southern Police District (SPD) chief Brig. Gen. Leon Victor Rosete said the amount of illegal drugs was confiscated in 50 operations from June 26 to July 2. These operations also resulted in the arrest of 79 suspects, who would face charges for violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. The SPD covers the cities of Makati, Pasay, Taguig, Parañaque, Las Piñas, and Muntinlupa as well as the municipality of Pateros. Source: Philippines News Agency