EDITORIAL - Switching tactics

The biggest story hogging the headlines yesterday was that of a 14-year-old girl who was arrested by authorities last Friday in Barangay Labangon, Cebu City with almost P6 million worth of illegal drugs.

The girl, who had been living on her own after running away from her family, was caught in a buy-bust operation following a two-week surveillance conducted by the operatives of the City Intelligence Branch of the Cebu City Police Office.

Based on the huge seizure of shabu - one of the biggest recovered from any individual in Cebu in recent years - the raiding team was surprised as to how the girl managed to operate her illegal business, suspecting that she is really a bigtime drug pusher.

The girl's arrest followed that of a teenager and her sister who were also caught for the same offense. While the siblings are now under the custody of the Department Social Welfare and Development, it was reported that the girl will have to stand trial.

It seemed that drug dealers in Cebu are now switching tactics, now employing minors in their illegal business. Yes, minors would attract less detection from authorities because they are not the ones usually suspected of engaging in drugs.

With the intensified drive against the illegal trade, it is no longer a wonder that bigtime drug dealers would also have to exhaust all their resources and schemes so business will continue as usual.

That is why illegal drugs remain one of the most lucrative businesses in the country. With billions in profits, drug dealers remain as influential as ever, having the power to even bribe the authorities.

And authorities should have no other option except to find ways to catch up with them. The police should always see to it that they are always ready to give drug dealers a run for their money.

While we hail the police for their recent accomplishment, the battle against illegal drugs is still far from over. Many drug pushers are still out there, plying the street with their stuffs undetected by the authorities.