PRO3 ARRESTS 230 DRUG SUSPECTS, CONFISCATES P4-M ILLEGAL DRUGS IN 1 WEEK

BY KEVIN GALANG

CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga —  Police Regional Office 3 (PRO3) arrested 230 drug suspects and seized more than P4.06 million worth of illegal drugs in 160 anti-drug operations conducted across Central Luzon from September 13 to 19.

PRO3 said the weeklong operations resulted in the confiscation of assorted illegal drugs with a combined estimated Standard Drug Price (SDP) of P4,069,483.58.

The seized illegal drugs included 552.43 grams of shabu valued at about P3.75 million; 1,455.93 grams of marijuana leaves worth P174,711.24; 54.33 tablets of ecstasy valued at P92,355.90; and 5.51 grams of kush marijuana worth P8,259.

No fatalities were reported during the operations, according to PRO3.

PRO3 Director Brig. Gen Jess B. Mendez said the sustained operations were aimed not only at arresting suspects but also at preventing illegal drugs from reaching communities.

“Hindi lang natin tinitingnan ang dami ng operasyon o ang bilang ng mga naaresto. Ang mahalaga ay nababawasan ang ilegal na droga na nakakarating sa ating mga komunidad at napapanagot ang mga sangkot dito,” Mendez said.

The operations form part of the Philippine National Police’s continuing campaign against illegal drugs and other threats to peace and order under the Focused Agenda of PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr..

PRO3 said the confiscation of more than P4 million worth of illegal drugs represents prohibited substances that were prevented from reaching the streets.

Mendez directed police units to sustain intelligence gathering, case build-up and coordination with local communities to strengthen anti-drug operations.

“Patuloy ang trabaho natin. Every illegal drug taken off the streets is one less threat to our families and communities. Ito ang Serbisyong Mabilis, Tapat, at Nararamdaman,” Mendez said.