PDEA arrests over 1,600 ‘high-value targets’

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) arrested more than 1,600 high-value targets in 2018, including foreign drug syndicate members and government workers.

In a statement on Monday, the PDEA reported that it had arrested last year 1,612 drug  personalities classified as high-value targets, including 53 foreign nationals, 57 elected officials, 15 uniformed personnel, 43 government employees, 200 drug group leaders and members, 14 armed drug group members, 182 drug den maintainers, 10 in wanted lists, among others.

The number accounts for nearly 30 percent of the 5,513 arrests the PDEA made last year.

The PDEA lists as high-value targets those in drug groups; government officials and employees; foreign nationals, including members of African Drug Syndicates; target-listed personalities; wanted-listed personalities; celebrities and other well-known personalities; and members of armed groups. —Jaymee T. Gamil