Police seize P5-M worth of shabu

By Paulo DS Papa

Law enforcement authorities in Camarines Sur and Naga City confiscated approximately P5 million worth of illegal drugs in separate anti-drug operations conducted throughout July this year.

The Naga City Police Office recently released its monthly report on anti-illegal drug operations, which detailed the seizure of about P1.5 million worth of illegal drugs from 21 operations targeting 21 identified drug personalities.

Joint operations by Naga police and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) operatives led to the confiscation of methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu with a total value of P1,254,865.

In addition, police recorded the recovery of P5,684 worth of dried marijuana leaves during the series of operations conducted last month.

All 21 suspects have been detained and are now facing charges for violations of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

While the Camarines Sur Police Provincial Office (Kaogma Cops) has yet to release its complete data for July, an initial report from Police Regional Office 5 revealed that a total of approximately P4.9 million worth of illegal drugs were seized in the province during the month.

In a recent media briefing, Police Brigadier Gen. Nestor Babagay, regional police director of Bicol, disclosed that Camarines Sur's contribution was part of the P15 million total value of illegal drugs seized across the region in July.

According to the same report, the estimated value of confiscated illegal drugs in other Bicol provinces includes P8 million in Camarines Norte (Bantayog Cops), P2.4 million in Albay, P96,503 in Sorsogon, P327,538 in Masbate, and P70,757 in Catanduanes.