Manila: Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) operatives seized PHP72.05 million worth of illegal drugs from July 25 to August 1 as part of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive for a relentless campaign against the drug trade. In a statement, PDEA Director General Undersecretary and Inter-Agency Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs (ICAD) Chair Isagani Nerez reported that 56 high-impact operations led to the arrest of 97 suspects.

According to Philippines News Agency, among those arrested, 53 were suspected drug pushers, 22 were drug den visitors or clients, and the remainder were drug den maintainers and employees. During this period, PDEA operatives confiscated 8,196.65 grams of shabu, 78,800 fully grown marijuana plants, 4,256 grams of dried marijuana leaves, and 52 ecstasy tablets.

The PDEA chief emphasized the agency’s commitment to eliminating illegal drugs, stating, “This week’s accomplishments reflect PDEA’s unwavering commitment to eradicating the scourge of illegal drugs. We will continue to intensify operations, targeting not just street-level peddlers but also the financiers and suppliers fueling this drug menace.” Nerez further stated that PDEA is determined to sustain its intelligence-driven operations against illegal drugs and its collaboration with other agencies to dismantle drug trafficking networks across the country.

“We work in quality, not in numbers. PDEA must hold drug suppliers accountable, ensuring they are brought to justice and held under the full weight of the law,” Nerez concluded.