Manila: Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) operatives seized almost PHP1 billion worth of illegal drugs from Aug. 8 to 15. Of 135 arrested suspects, 85 were suspected drug pushers, 17 were drug den operators, 26 were drug den clients, and seven were drug users and possessors.

According to Philippines News Agency, PDEA operatives confiscated 146,278.30 grams of shabu and eradicated 24,000 marijuana plants in Cordillera during the period. PDEA Director General Undersecretary and Inter-Agency Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs (ICAD) Chair Isagani Nerez stated that every gram seized represents lives saved, emphasizing the agency's commitment to protecting Filipino families.

The director general highlighted the intelligence-driven operations conducted by PDEA and other law enforcement agencies, which have significantly impacted the illegal drug trade in the country. He stressed the importance of trusting PDEA and the government to protect communities from these threats.

Meanwhile, the National Capital Region Police Office conducted 429 anti-illegal drug operations from Aug. 1 to 15, resulting in the arrest of 603 drug offenders. These operations led to the confiscation of 2,697.02 grams of shabu, 230.66 grams of marijuana dried leaves, and 54.3 grams of kush, with a combined estimated value of PHP18.448 million.