Drugs seized under Marcos admin now at P51.14B – PDEA

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) reported on Friday that its anti-drug campaign from July to October 2024 yielded P51.14 billion worth of drugs seized.

PDEA said the amount of illegal drugs recovered was at P49.82 billion as of September, a P1.32-billion increase in drugs seized in October last year.

READ: PDEA: Seized narcotics under Marcos admin near P50B

The agency said it confiscated a total of 6,554.59 kilograms (kgs) of shabu (crystal meth), 5,772.68 kgs of marijuana, 75.70 kgs of cocaine, and 115,081 pieces of ecstasy.

It also arrested 119,022 individuals and 7,567 high-value targets in 87,802 operations.

Moreover, 1,217 drug dens and two clandestine laboratories were dismantled, PDEA added.

PDEA also declared 29,211 barangays drug-free, with 6,292 still “drug-affected.”

This came after Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said law enforcement agencies would try a “new strategy” by focusing on the supply chain in the anti-drug campaign.

READ: Remulla: Drug traders use cryptocurrency to ‘hide their proceeds’

PDEA is the lead agency tasked with implementing the Dangerous Drugs Act under the supervision of the Office of the President.