PDEA almost doubles anti-drug ops for 2012

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) announced on Wednesday that it has nearly doubled the number of anti-illegal drug operations for 2012.

PDEA Director General Arturo Cacdac, Jr. said the substantial increase of anti-illegal drug operations is due to the strengthened collaboration and cooperation among law enforcement agencies.

He said PDEA has conducted 24,030 anti-illegal drug operations from January to November 2012, which resulted in the arrest of 9,601 drug personalities. 

"We are on the verge of doubling the number of 12,269 anti-drug operations conducted in 2011, considering there is still a month (December) left unaccounted," Cacdac said.

He added that the agency surpassed its commitment to the government to deliver not less than 9,591 successful anti-illegal drug operations for the year.          

He cited that operations dismantled seven clandestine laboratories, nine shabu tiangges, 58 drug dens and a chemical warehouse from January to November 2012 plus the destructions of 148 marijuana plantation sites.

Meanwhile, Cacdac said that the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group, an inter-agency collaboration headed by PDEA, has arrested 28 drug couriers during the period.

Of the total arrested drug personalities, 65 are foreign nationals who are either involved in the possession, trafficking and manufacturing of illegal drugs.

PDEA has apprehended 28 members of the African Drug Syndicates who are behind the recruitment of Filipinos as drug couriers, Cacdac added.