Pubdate: Mon, 02 May 2005
Source: People's Journal (Philippines)
Copyright: 2005 People's Journal
Contact: http://www.journal.com.ph/contactus.asp
Website: http://www.journal.com.ph/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3381
Author: Alfred Dalizon
Cited: Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency http://www.pdea.gov.ph
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mdma.htm (Ecstasy)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

P1.1B ILLEGAL DRUGS SEIZED

AUTHORITIES seized an estimated P1.1 billion worth of illegal drugs,
chemicals and laboratory equipment in separate operations across the
country from January to March this year, Philippine Drug Enforcement
Agency chairman Anselmo S. Avenido Jr. said yesterday.

Avenido said that the PDEA and other law enforcement agencies under
its supervision conducted a total of 5,342 anti-narcotics operations
during the period and arrested 6,518 drug suspects.

The arrests resulted in the filing of 4,100 cases of violation of
Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs of 2002 against
the suspects, he added. Of the 4,100 suspects arrested, 3,058 were
users; 132 drug possessors; 2,960 pushers; seven marijuana
cultivators; and one a drug financier.

Avenido said that in the past three months anti-narcotics operatives
seized marijuana and its derivatives worth P1.046 billion and shabu
worth P33.2 million.

Other illegal drugs seized during the period were 18 pieces of the
designer drug called Ecstasy worth P21,300; cocaine valued at P3,580;
and 4,960 pieces of Diazepam worth P192,200.

Also seized by government agents were shabu precursors and essential
chemicals worth nearly P33 million and laboratory equipment valued at
P680,000.

Avenido said that of the 5,342 operations conducted by anti-narcotics
agents during the first quarter of the year, 3,003 were buy-bust
operations; 507 were raids covered with search warrants; five were
serving of warrants of arrest; 87 were interdiction operations; 62
were marijuana eradication; and 1,678 were raids and saturation drives.

"These accomplishments were achieved not only through police action
but also through the cooperation of the various sectors of the
society, non-governmental organizations, socio-civic groups and local
government units," the PDEA chief said. 
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