Bicol: Over PHP114 million worth of illegal drugs were confiscated and 973 suspects arrested in anti-drug operations conducted from January to August this year, the Police Regional Office in Bicol (PRO-5) reported Monday.
According to Philippines News Agency, PRO-5 Director Brig. Gen. Nestor Bagagay Jr. stated that the confiscated drugs from 892 operations included 80,647.41 grams of marijuana and 15,478.47 grams of shabu. Among the arrested individuals, 101 are categorized as high-value targets, while 872 are identified as street-level offenders.
A total of 1,678 cases have been filed against the violators involved in the illegal drug trade. Camarines Norte recorded the highest value of confiscated drugs, amounting to PHP49.9 million. This was followed by Camarines Sur with PHP34 million, Albay with PHP14 million, Naga City with PHP11.6 million, Masbate with PHP3.9 million, Catanduanes with PHP907,259.60, and Sorsogon with PHP296,700.80.
Babagay also reported on operations against loose firearms, with police conducting 738 operations that resulted in the arrest of 182 persons and the confiscation, surrender, or capture of 708 firearms. Additionally, about 431 firearms were voluntarily turned over for safekeeping.
In the same period, 61 members of the New People’s Army (NPA) were arrested, eight were neutralized, and 206 voluntarily surrendered to authorities. The operations also led to the recovery of 161 firearms and 423 explosives. Furthermore, PRO-5 recorded 2,952 wanted persons charged with various crimes.
