PNP: Over P130 M drugs seized, 1,661 arrested in first 3 weeks of 2024

Philippine National Police chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. | PHOTO: Official facebook page of PGen Benjamin Acorda Jr.

MANILA, Philippines — Over P130 million worth of illegal drugs were seized by the police in the first three weeks of January, the Philippine National Police (PNP) reported on Monday.

PNP chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. said the national police force apprehended 1,661 individuals who yielded about P132.9 million worth of illegal drugs from January 1 to January 18 this year.

“The PNP conducted a total of 1,376 anti-illegal drugs operations. These operations resulted in the arrest of 1,661 drug personalities and the confiscation of an estimated standard drug price of P132.9 million,” Acorda told reporters in a press briefing.

“Focus crime rate down”

ThePNP earlier reported that it had recorded a 37.32 percent decrease in focus crime incidents during the first 11 days of January compared to the same period last year.

Focus crimes, according to the PNP, include murder, robbery, theft, rape, physical injury and carnapping.

“Notably, we have witnessed a reduction from 1,218 incidents to 765, marking a significant decline of 37.19 percent. Furthermore, focus crimes have exhibited a considerable decrease from 1,211 to 759 during the same period, signifying a reduction of 37.32 percent,” Acorda said.