The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) reported that the government’s intensified anti-narcotics campaign has resulted in the seizure of some P30.9 billion worth of illegal drugs in 2022.
In its 2022 accomplishment report presented to Malacañang this week, the PDEA said that aside from the multi-billion worth of drugs seized by law enforcement agencies, it also destroyed some P27.8 billion worth of drugs, controlled precursors and essential chemicals (CPECS).
The PDEA also said through more than 37,000 operations conducted by the agency and other law enforcement units, a total of 53,002 drug personalities were arrested.
Some 237 marijuana sites were also eradicated, resulting in the destruction of P738.6 million worth of marijuana plants and derivatives, according to the PDEA report.
To reduce the demand for illegal drugs, PDEA conducted 257,588 Preventive Education and Community Involvement (PECI) activities and established 111 Balay Silangan Reformation Centers, producing around 2,000 graduates and employing 894 individuals.
The PDEA said more than 300,000 Persons Who Use Drugs (PWUDs) in drug-cleared barangays underwent community-based drug rehabilitation programs, while 67,045 PWUDs were given intervention programs. Out of 25,306 resolved cases last year, the PDEA said 21,112 or 83 percent resulted in convictions while 1,439 cases or 6 percent were dismissed by the courts.
Police officers in Metro Manila meanwhile seized over P10.7 million worth of illegal drugs from Jan. 23 to 29, while Bureau of Customs agents intercepted illegal drugs worth more than P2.4 million at the Central Mail Exchange Center (CMEC), Pair Cargo, and DHL Warehouse in Pasay City.
NCRPO deputy regional director for operation, Brig. Gen. Jack Wanky, said these illegal drugs were seized in 348 police operations during the period. He said a total of 486 drug suspects were also arrested. Wanky added that these operations also resulted in the arrest of 17 persons for illegal possession of firearms while 19 firearms were seized.
BOC commissioner Yogi Filemon Ruiz said the illegal drugs seized in Pasay were found after a physical examination of the parcels were conducted by BOC officers because of a report of illegal packages coming from Pakistan and France.
The BOC discovered six plastic pouches of candies and one vape cartridge containing THC or tetrahydrocannabinol, 1.020 kg of Ecstasy, and 106.46 gm of methamphetamine hydrochloride, known as shabu, with a total estimated value of P2.476 million.
The parcels originated from the United States, France, and Pakistan. They were shipped to consignees in Negros Occidental, Makati City, and Camarines Sur.
The BOC will file a case against those behind the illicit trade for possible violations of Republic Act (RA) No. 9165, the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, and RA 10863, or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act.
The seized drugs were turned over to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) for proper disposition.
The BOC-NAIA, headed by District Collector Carmelita Talusan, vowed to continuously guard the country’s border against the entry of illegal goods. With Vito Barcelo