PDEA seizes record P5.27 B shabu in Q1 2019

Philippine Drug enforcement Agency and Bureau of Customs officials and personnel inspect the P1.8 billion worth of shabu uncovered at the Manila International Container Port last month. INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) on Friday reported that it confiscated a record 776.06 kilograms of shabu worth P5.27 billion in the first quarter of 2019, the highest recorded seizure in the drug law enforcement history.

The haul is 103.64 kilograms and  P704,752,000 more than recorded first quarter seizures from 2009 to 2018.

“This is the highest recorded shabu seizure for the first three months of the year in PDEA history. It also more than doubled compared to the second highest first quarter seizure which was recorded in 2015 with 314.47 kilos worth P2.14 billion,” PDEA Director General Aaron Aquino said in a statement.

Billions of pesos worth of shabu was seized in Muntinlupa City and the Manila International Container Port (MICP) last month.

READ: PDEA agents seize P1.13-B worth of shabu in Muntinlupa

READ: P1.8 B shabu seized at Manila port

Aquino also bared that the agency arrested 2,818 drug suspects, another record high.

PDEA said it will also focus on implementing anti-drug advocacies such as Balay Silangan for surrendered drug personalities and Sagip Batang Solvent for children hooked on illegal drugs.

Aquino added that their improved cooperation and coordination with foreign counterparts boosted the drive against illegal drugs. /gsg