PNP-DEG accounts for majority of drugs seized by police force
THE Philippine National Police Drug Enforcement Group (PDEG) accounted for the majority of prohibited substances seized by the police force from July 1, 2022 to date under the President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.s administration, officials said recently.
Over P13.7 billion worth of shabu and other prohibited drugs were confiscated by the PDEG headed by Brigadier General Eleazar P. Matta.
According to the PDEG director, the huge figures reflect the Marcos administration’s firm stance on curbing illegal drug operations throughout the country with less violence compared to the past Duterte government’s bloody war on drugs.
Overall, nearly P18.7 billion worth of shabu and other banned substances were confiscated by the PNP under General Rommel Francisco D. Marbil.
Official PNP-DEG records showed that during the period, a total of 1,674 anti-drug operations were conducted, leading to the arrest of 1,903 individuals involved in illegal drug activities.
These operations resulted in the confiscation of 1,717.61 kilograms of shabu worth P11,679,791,248.
They also included 2,152.20 kilograms of marijuana leaves and plants valued at P1,835,431,560; 48.70 kilograms of Ketamine worth P243,360,000; 0.58 kilograms of cocaine worth P3,074,000; 1,343 pieces of Ecstasy valued at P2,283,100; and 1.96 kilograms of high-grade marijuana derivative Kush worth P2,937,750.
Brig. Gen. Matta said that the total amount of illegal drugs confiscated during the 26-month period were worth P13,766,877,658.40, solidifying PDEG’s position as the leading PNP units in drug seizures.
He added since Gen. Marbil became PNP, they have already conducted 410 anti-drug operations which resulted in the arrest of 468 individuals and the confiscation of nearly P2.214 billion worth of shabu, marijuana, cocaine, Ecstasy, Kush and Ketamine.
The nine-month operations also saw the police force accounting for 44,456 drug targets as a result of 36,452 anti-narcotics operations.
All suspects are now in jail facing criminal charges for violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean S. Fajardo said that seized drugs by police forces during the period were some 2.415 tons of shabu, an estimated 4.661 tons of dried marijuana leaves; around 6.5 million pieces of cannabis plants and seedlings, nearly 28 kilos of cocaine, 5,610 grams of Ecstasy and 1,974 pieces of Kush.
From July 2022 to last June 30, the PNP accounted for nearly 97,000 drug targets nationwide but with less drug-related deaths compared to the 1st two years of the previous Duterte administration, the Journal Group learned.
Official PNP records showed that from July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2024, police conducted a total of 96,978 anti-drug operations which led to the arrest of 121,655 suspected drug personalities.
A total of 193 also died during police operations which is very far from the 702 recorded during the same period by the UP Third World Studies Center.
