Pubdate: Fri, 01 Jul 2005
Source: Freeman, The (Philippines)
Copyright: 2005 The Freeman
Contact:  http://www.thefreeman.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3437
Author: Ryan P. Borinaga
Cited: US Drug Enforcement Administration http://www.dea.gov
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/areas/Philippines

NEW WAY TO COMBAT ILLEGAL DRUGS LAUNCHED IN AUGUST

The launch of a fresh strategy to boost Cebu City's campaign against
illegal drugs has yet to wait until middle of August according to
acting city police director Melvin Gayotin yesterday.

The launch has to wait as Police Inspector George Ylanan who heads
both the Drug Enforcement Unit and the Vice Control Section is still
pursuing post-graduate studies, aside from the delay in the issuance
of search warrants against targeted personalities, Gayotin said.

In the middle of May, police claimed they were to launch here a new
strategy in the campaign against illegal drugs reportedly never been
used before by any other law enforcement agency in the country. Such
strategy is patterned from what has been observed by the United States
Drug Enforcement Unit.

As the strategy is confidential, Gayotin refused to elaborate on the
details of its application. He only said that the launch hopes to
reduce the problem on the proliferation of illegal drugs to a greater
level.

As of May, available data revealed that although the number of pushers
placed to be around 200 has reportedly decreased, police could not
claim a significant development because new players would likely
surface after the arrest of a certain personality.

Data also indicated that the San Nicolas Police face the most number
of drug-related cases having in their jurisdiction barangays Pasil,
Suba, Sawang Calero and Calamba.

Parian Police come in second because of the drug problems in barangay
Lorega and Mambaling Police on third rank because of barangays
Mambaling and Duljo-Fatima.

Also last May, intelligence reports revealed that the price of shabu
went down from P28,000, for every five grams, in November to P16,000
early this year to only P8,000 lately. 
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