DILG: P13.7 billion drugs seized, 28,804 nabbed since January

MANILA, Philippines — Anti-narcotics operations conducted during the first six months of the year resulted in the confiscation of an estimated P13.7 billion worth of illegal drugs and the arrest of 28,804 people, Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos reported yesterday.

“We have conducted 23,515 stings in the campaign against illegal drugs from Jan. 1 to June 21,” Abalos said at a press briefing at Camp Crame in Quezon City.

He said the seized drugs include 1,779 kilos of shabu, 4.95 million marijuana plants, 3.6 kilos of dried marijuana leaves, 26,620 grams of cocaine and 4,177 grams of Ecstasy.

From June 17 to 21 alone, Abalos said anti-narcotics agents conducted 111 stings, which led to the arrest of 123 suspects and seizure of P52.3 million worth of illegal drugs.

Among the top performing Philippine National Police units were the Police Regional Office 4A, PNP Drug Enforcement Group and the Police Regional Office 7.

Abalos also said the PNP, which is under the supervision of the Department of the Interior and Local Government, also arrested 1,197 wanted fugitives, including 347 most wanted, from June 17 to 21.

Authorities nabbed 106 people for illegal possession of firearms and confiscated 183 guns during the same period.