Pubdate: Tue, 14 Feb 2006
Source: Sunstar Cagayan De Oro (Philippines)
Copyright: 2006 Sunstar Cagayan De Oro.
Contact:  http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cagayan/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2983
Author: Lizanilla J. Amarga
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/areas/Philippines

TOP MISAMIS ORIENTAL DRUG HOTSPOTS NAMED

THE Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in Northern Mindano
identified the drug hotspots in Misamis Oriental Monday.

PDEA Regional Director Rene Orbe named the three towns in Misamis
Oriental considered as "top-ranking" when it comes to illegal drugs
operations during the regular session of the Provincial Board.

Orbe said the three "top-ranking" drug hotspots include the towns of
Gitagum, Alubijid, and Villanueva.

Board member Arsenio Kho Jr. asked Orbe to look into reports on the
fast proliferation of illegal drugs in the small towns of the province.

"Not just big towns but also small towns such as Salay, Sugbongcogon,
and Binuangan as we received information that illegal drugs is
proliferating also in these small town areas," Kho said.

Orbe said he is planning to put up a PDEA extension office at Gingoog
City to be manned by his deputy.

"We will be requesting Misamis Oriental Provincial Police director
(Lyndel) Desquitado to assign some of his men to help us out," he said.

Orbe disclosed that there is another illegal drug laboratory in
Misamis Occidental, which they are monitoring.

"Right now the operators of this illegal drugs laboratory are moving
around but we are still keeping track of them," Orbe said during the
session where he was grilled by the provincial legislators.

Should their group succeed this would be the fourth illegal drugs
laboratory that they busted since last year.

The first was in Laguindingan then in Opol, all of Misamis Oriental
and then recently a Gaisano warehouse in Barangay Gusa, Cagayan de Oro
City where they estimated P30 million worth of illegal drugs equipment. 
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