Manila: The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), in coordination with other law enforcement agencies, seized illegal drugs worth PHP1.95 billion and arrested 3,702 drug personalities in May. PDEA Director General Isagani Nerez on Wednesday said authorities conducted 2,941 anti-drug operations nationwide during the month.
According to Philippines News Agency, the operations led to the dismantling of 18 illegal drug facilities, including one clandestine laboratory and 17 drug dens, disrupting the production and distribution of dangerous drugs across the country. Among the confiscated substances were 157.30 kilograms of shabu, 8.99 kilograms of cocaine, 1,711 ecstasy tablets, and 2,489.83 kilograms of dried marijuana leaves and bricks. Nerez said the seizures prevented a substantial volume of illegal drugs from reaching communities, schools, and households nationwide.
PDEA's intelligence-driven operations also targeted key figures in drug trafficking networks, resulting in the arrest of 238 high-value personalities. These included 125 suspects arrested in high-impact operations, 33 drug den maintainers, 21 target-listed personalities, 20 regional target-listed personalities, 27 other high-value targets, five elected officials, four government employees, one uniformed personnel, one foreign national, and one resurgent drug personality. 'The inclusion of elected officials, government personnel, and a member of the uniformed service underscores a clear message: position and authority offer no protection from accountability. This operation reflects our continued whole-of-nation approach against illegal drugs,' Nerez said.
