MALASIQUI: Intensified border checkpoints and other anti-illegal drugs measures have yielded a total of PHP1.36 billion worth of shabu and marijuana in the Ilocos Region from January to Aug. 2 this year.
The bulk of the more than 237,400 grams of contraband is consisted of the about 110,000 grams of shabu worth PHP751 million discovered by fishers along the coasts of Ilocos Sur, Ilocos Norte and Pangasinan between June and July, according to Ilocos Police Region Office Director Brig. Gen. Lou Frias Evangelista during the Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas forum hosted by the Philippine Information Agency on Tuesday.
The rest were confiscated through various operations conducted with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).
As of Aug. 2, a total of 89,796 grams of shabu and 37,083 grams of marijuana have been confiscated in various operations, including buy-busts, serving of warrants and checkpoints.
Evangelista said 720 have been arrested with no casualty
In terms of the shabu packs found floating, Evange
lista said investigations showed they originated from Myanmar and were submerged in the seas with a nylon rope.
However, heavy rainfall destroyed the ropes and the packs were separated.
The fishers who discovered the packages in Ilocos Sur were given PHP50,000 each by the local government unit, while the PDEA gave PHP5,000 for each pack surrendered.
Meanwhile, 2,660 of 2,929 drug-affected villages have been cleared in the region as of July 31.
Source: Philippines News Agency
