WV police seize P64M worth of drugs, arrest over 1K druggies in 8 months

By Jennifer P. Rendon

 

Police operatives in Western Visayas seized more than P64 million worth of illegal drugs eight months into 2020.

And for Police Regional Office 6, it said the number indicates that they are taking their campaign against illegal drugs seriously.

A report from the Regional Operations Division showed that the seizure of P64.41 million worth of illegal drugs was the result of 981 operations conducted from January to August 2020.

The value based on the recovered 456.29 grams of marijuana and 7,141.24 grams of shabu.

These operations led to the arrest of 1,377 personalities while five persons died during police operations.

The Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOcPPO) posted the most number of operations at 436 with 607 arrested persons.

Tailing at the second spot is Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) with 244 operations and 382 arrested personalities.

Meanwhile, Iloilo City PO conducted 98 operations; Capiz PPO with 86; Iloilo PPO with 84; Aklan PPO with 20; Antique PPO with 11; and Guimaras PPO with only two operations.

In the recent Regional Oversight Committee on Illegal Drugs meeting, PRO-6 is looking to neutralize 711 remaining listed drug personalities based on the data of the Regional Intelligence Division.

Meanwhile, Police Brigadier General Rene Pamuspusan, Western Visayas, reminded all units to be consistent in the war against illegal drugs, as it is still the focus of newly installed PNP chief General Camilo Pancratius Cascolan.

He explained that the illegal drugs campaign, along with internal security and insurgency, is part of the pivotal 3-point strategy of police force in addressing major concerns nowadays on COVID-19 pandemic.

Cascolan also reiterated that the cooperation with various stakeholders and groups is needed to level up the PNP’s restorative efforts on drug users who want to change their lives and become responsible individuals.