P1.7 million drugs seized, 105 nabbed in EV

By RPCRD, Police Regional Office 8
July 22, 2013

CAMP KANGLEON, Palo, Leyte – Agents of the Police Regional Office 8 (PRO8) Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Group arrested a total of 105 persons and confiscated an estimated P1.7 million worth of illegal drugs in a series of anti-narcotics operations across the region since January 1 this year.

But while the illegal drugs situation in Eastern Visayas is not alarming, the region’s top cop assured that close monitoring and continuous anti-illegal drugs operations is being conducted by his men to minimize the proliferation of the drug menace in the region.

“Its reputation as one of the fastest growing regions in the country attracts not only legitimate businesses but also illegitimate ones while the region’s geographical location with wide coastal areas and several entrance and exit points lures drug financiers to ply their trade here,” PCSupt Elmer R. Soria, PRO8 Regional Director said.

He added that intelligence-driven operations against illegal drugs are being conducted by his men aiming at high value targets and eventually “put these pushers behind bars.”

Soria informed that the intensified anti-drugs crackdown has netted a good number of drug suspects in 83 operations that yielded 223.62 grams of methamphetamine hydrochloride or “shabu” and 165.61 grams of dried marijuana leaves with a total worth of P1.718.042.00.

The arrested violators, 85 pushers and 20 users, were rounded-up by the police in drug buy-bust operations, raids and searches. These resulted in the filing of 86 cases for violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 in different courts regionwide, the police official added.

Meanwhile, in Northern Samar, a 29-year old jobless man was arrested by the police in a buy-bust operation Sunday morning at Capul seaport in Brgy. 2 Poblacion.

Nabbed was Arnel Magdaraog, a resident of Brgy. San Luis in said town, after selling sachet of suspected “shabu” worth P500 to a poseur-buyer at around 11 a.m.

The police also confiscated three sachets of suspected “shabu”, a scissor and a disposable lighter from the suspect’s possession.

Suspect was brought to Northern Samar Police Provincial Officer for further investigation and filing of drug charges while confiscated items were brought to Northern Samar Provincial Crime Laboratory Office for laboratory examination.