FOR playing a major role in their effort to cripple illegal drug activities in the country, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, General Dionardo B. Carlos yesterday lauded the PNP Drug Enforcement Group (PNP-DEG) headed by Brigadier Gen. Remus B. Medina for their P13.51 billion drug haul in 2021.

“Congratulations are also in order for members of the PNP-DEG and other PNP units and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) who partnered with each other in the conduct of those major anti-drug operations,” said Carlos, a classmate from Philippine Military Academy ‘Maringal’ Class of 1988 of PDEA chair, Director General Wilkins M. Villanueva.

Official PNP-DEG records showed that in 2021, the unit accounted for an estimated P13.51 billion worth of shabu and other prohibited substances as a result of 537 anti-narcotics operations which likewise resulted in the arrest of 736 drug personalities and the killing of 51 armed ‘high-value targets’ following gunbattles with undercover officers.

Medina said the operations also led to the confiscation of 72 unlicensed firearms.

Removed from the streets by PNP-DEG last year were 887,722.04 grams of the so-called ‘poor man’s cocaine,’ 21,600 Nubain ampules, 34,228 ‘Ecstasy’ tablets, 622 grams of Ketamine, 12,120 milliliters of marijuana hashish oil, 100 grams of hashish and two bottles of marijuana oil.

Nearly 1.5 tons of dried marijuana leaves, over two million fully-grown marijuana plants, 55,000 kilos of marijuana stalks, 2,847 grams of Kush which is a high-grade marijuana derivative, 61,000 grams of marijuana seeds, 325 Valium (Diazepam) strips, 230 Mogadon (Nitrazepam) strips, 93 Phinix (Alprazolam) strips, 60 Rivotril strips, four bottles of Hemp Gummies, six Camino cans and tree cans of Mr. Monkey Mints.

Carlos however said the PNP-DEG must not rest on its laurels and ensure that ‘high-value targets’ in the country won’t be having a nice time to sleep while continuing their illegal drug activities this year.

Medina assured that they are working to accomplish more as as they work 24/7 during the rest of the Yuletide Season and during the election period.

“Our unit never sleeps as we further intensify our anti-illegal drug operations with the end in view of successfully prosecuting the arrested offenders in court. At the same time, we are also enhancing our effort to make the public fully aware of the harmful effects of dangerous drugs,” the official said.

Last month alone, 51 ‘high-value targets’ were accounted for by the PNP-DEG as a result of 41 anti-narcotics operations.

They include a PNP-DEG-led anti-narcotics operation at Block 14, Lot 45 in Camachile Street, South Fairway Homes in Barangay Landayan, San Pedro City, Laguna which led to the arrest of three ‘HVTs’ and the seizure of 10 kilograms of shabu worth P68 million.

Medina identified the accused drug traffickers as 35-year old Ace Arciaga, owner of the target house, Shamewayne Darvin,19, of 180 Rosal St., Purok3 , Bayanan, Muntinlupa City and Benz Gonzales, 21, of Block 3, Solema St., also in Bayanan.

The official said a 17-year old male from the same Muntinlupa City area was placed under police custody after he was found in the company of the suspects. He said they are still determining the real involvement of the teenager with the jailed suspects.

Medina said they conducted the sting with the help of the Police Regional Office 4-A Regional Drug Enforcement Unit and Regional Special Operations Group under Brig. Gen. Eliseo DC Cruz, the Laguna Police Provincial Office and the PDEA.

Recovered from the suspects were 10 kilograms of the so-called ‘poor man’s cocaine’ with a Dangerous Drugs Board value of P68 million and the boodle money topped by several marked bills.

All suspects are now under the custody of the PNP-DEG and undergoing questioning regarding the main source of the drugs confiscated from them.

Medina said the arrested adult suspects will be facing non-bailable charges for sale and possession of prohibited drugs under Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

The offense is punishable by life imprisonment and a P10 million fine upon conviction by the court.

The teenage suspect will be turned over to the Department of Social Welfare and Development, he added.

Last November 29, another PNP-DEG-led sting in Caloocan resulted in the arrest of a top drug trafficker in Metro Manila and the seizure of 15 kilograms of shabu worth P102 million.

Arrested during the sting along Baesa Road in Barangay 161, Zone 14, District 1 in Caloocan was Randy Rafael alias ‘RR,’ a 42-year old resident of no. 2279 P. Dandan Street in Pasay City.

Confiscated from the suspect’s possession were 15 teabags with Chinese markings, each containing a kilo of the so-called ‘poor man’s cocaine,’ all valued at P102 million, the boodle money topped by two marked P1,000 bills and a mobile phone he used in making contact with a poseur.

Members of the PNP-DEG Special Operations Unit-National Capital Region, PDEA-NCR, the NCR Police Office Regional Drug Enforcement Unit and Regional Intelligence Division, PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-NCR Field Unit and the Caloocan City Police Station were involved in the successful sting, said Gen. Carlos.

“Since my first day as the Top Cop, I have made sure that we will continue to intensify our campaign against illegal drug peddlers and put them all behind bars,” Carlos said as he congratulated the PNP-DEG for initiating the ‘intelligence-drive’ anti-narcotics operation in coordination with the PDEA headed by Villanueva.

Based on initial investigation, Rafael was found to be working for a Chinese drug personality known only by the alias “Lim” who is openly distributing illegal drugs in NCR and nearby areas.

“Ipinag-utos ko ang malalim pang imbestigasyon at operasyon upang mahuli itong si alias Lim at matigil ang kanilang mga masasamang gawain,” Carlos said.

Medina said they have discovered that the suspect and his main source operate on a ‘consignment basis’ or spot cash payment depending on the capacity of their distributors to pay for each transaction.

“We found out that the items are being delivered personally or thru dead drop scheme by the suspects,” the PNP-DEG director said.

The arrested suspect is now being held at the PNP-DEG lock-up facility in Camp Crame.

He will be facing a non-bailable case for sale and possession of prohibited drugs which is punishable by life imprisonment and a maximum fine of P10 million upon conviction.

Medina said 47 other ‘HVTs’ have been arrested and more than P20 million worth of shabu and other prohibited substance were accounted for by his unit last December.

He added that their operations which started last December 6 were part of their intensified anti-narcotics campaign in time for the yuletide season and the 2022 national and local elections which may be taken advantage of by drug trafficking syndicates nationwide.

“Our war on illegal drugs has been more intensive despite the new normal brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic which has also threatened to further compound the danger of illegal drugs in the country,” said the official.