Manila: The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) announced the confiscation of PHP24.95 million worth of illegal drugs seized during nationwide operations conducted from April 18 to 25. The operations resulted in the arrest of 52 individuals and the seizure of significant quantities of illegal substances, including 3,115.45 grams of shabu, 50 grams of cocaine, 4.94 grams of ecstasy, 4,760 grams of dried marijuana leaves, and 14,600 marijuana plants.
According to Philippines News Agency, PDEA Director General Isagani Nerez detailed that the operations were executed through strategic buy-busts, routine checkpoint inspections, and intelligence-driven interdictions. These efforts successfully disrupted illegal drug activities in various villages, city centers, and transit points. The regions with significant achievements include the National Capital Region (NCR), Region 7 (Central Visayas), Region 8 (Eastern Visayas), and Mimaropa. Specifically, the cities of Pasay in NCR, Lapu-lapu in the Visayas, and Dipolog in Mindanao were identified as major hubs for these recent drug seizures.
PDEA Director General Nerez emphasized that these statistics represent lives saved and communities protected, reflecting the agency's commitment to reclaiming the future of the Filipino people from the menace of illegal drugs. He reiterated that PDEA remains at the forefront of the national anti-drug campaign, aiming for a "Bagong Pilipinas" (New Philippines) where law and order prevail, ensuring a safe and secure environment for every Filipino.
Nerez also highlighted PDEA's collaboration with other law enforcement agencies, civil society organizations, and local communities in the ongoing battle against illegal drugs. He noted that PDEA's performance metrics demonstrate a sustained and aggressive approach in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s bloodless anti-drug drive. The agency plans to continue intensifying intelligence-driven operations focused on high-value targets and organized drug groups. Nerez praised the dedication of the operating teams and affirmed that the aggressive stance against illegal drugs would persist.
