P1.2B illegal drugs seized in MM since November
THE ongoing war on drugs in Metro Manila by the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) has resulted in the seizure of around P1.2 billion worth of shabu and other illegal drugs since November last year, NCRPO director, Major General Vicente D. Danao Jr. said yesterday.
“This is part of our intensified crackdown against all forms of illegal drug activities in the metropolis as ordered by Philippine National Police chief, General Debold M. Sinas. I also would like to commend the dedicated men and women of the NCRPO for their success in the war on drugs,” said the Metro Manila police chief.
Official NCRPO records showed that from November 11 last year to last April 15, the Metro Manila police conducted 4,618 anti-narcotics operations which led in the arrest of 7,941 drug offenders, many of them ‘high-value targets.’
Those operations resulted in the confiscation of 175 kilograms of shabu worth P510 million and 329 kilos of dried marijuana leaves and 884 tablets and 300ml of the designer drug called ‘Ecstasy’ which, next to shabu and marijuana, is considered the 3rd most abused drug in the country.
“The NCRPO is consistent in its campaign to stop the proliferation of illegal drugs, particularly those distributed and sold by syndicates in Metro Manila despite safety restrictions brought about by the pandemic,” said Danao.
The official yesterday lauded the Manila Police District headed by Brigadier Gen. Leo M. Francisco for their latest successful anti-narcotics operation which led in the arrest of 13 suspects and the recovery of around P2.2 million worth of shabu the other day.
He said that six of the suspects were arrested in a buy-bust operation in an alley along Almeda Street near corner Jose Abad Santos Avenue in Tondo which resulted in the recovery of about 200 grams of the so-called ‘poor man’s cocaine’ worth some P1.3 million.
Five other suspected drug personalities were arrested in a sting in Pipino Street in Bgy. Tumana, Marikina City 3 p.m. Thursday. Recovered from the suspects by the Eastern Police District headed by Brig. Gen. Matthew P. Baccay were an estimated 70 grams of shabu worth P476,000.
In Taguig City, members of the Northern Police District under Brig. Gen. Nelson B. Bondoc arrested two men after they sold some P360,000 worth of dried marijuana leaves to a poseur in Calibuso St. in Bgy. Upper Bicutan 4:30 p.m. Thursday.
The arrested suspects are now facing non-bailable charges for sale and possession of prohibited drugs under Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, said Danao.
He also called anew on Metro Manila residents to immediately report the presence of suspected drug personalities or activities in their neighborhood to their ‘Isumbong kay RD’ hotlines at O915-888-8181 and 0999-901-8181. Danao assured that the identities of the callers will be kept in utmost secrecy.
