PNP: P13.7-B illegal drugs seized under Marcos admin

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police -Drug Enforcement Group (PNP-DEG) reported on Wednesday that the cumulative value of the illegal drugs seized in two years under Ferdinand Marcos Jr. administration hit P13.7 billion.

The P13.7 billion represents the total value of illegal drugs confiscated from July 1, 2022 to Oct. 7, 2024, resulting from the PNP-DEG's relentless anti-drug operations across the country.

PNP-DEG Director Brig. Gen. Eleazar Matta said the figures reflected the administration's firm stance on curbing illegal drug operations throughout the country.

He said his office indicated a remarkable 1,674 anti-drug operations during the period, resulting in the arrest of 1,903 individuals involved in illegal drug activities.

In breaking down the total illegal drug haul, Matta said that operations led to the confiscation of shabu (methamphetamine hydrochloride) totaling 1,717.61 kilograms with a value of ₱11,679,791,248.00.

In addition, he said the DEG also netted 2,152.20 kilograms of marijuana leaves and plants amounting to ₱1,835,431,560.00, along with 48.70 kilograms of ketamine valued at ₱243,360,000.00. Other drugs confiscated included 0.58 kilograms of cocaine worth ₱3,074,000.00, 1,343 pieces of ecstasy valued at ₱2,283,100.00, and 1.96 kilograms of Kush marijuana valued at ₱2,937,750.00, Matta said.

Matta said the cumulative value of the drugs seized during the two-year period reached a staggering ₱13,766,877,658.40.

He said that from April 1, 2024, to Oct. 7, 2024, under the leadership of PNP Chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil, the PNP-DEG continued its aggressive anti-drug drive with 410 successful operations.

«These operations led to the arrest of 468 individuals. The total value of drugs confiscated during this time soared to ₱2,213,630,718.00, encompassing significant quantities of shabu and marijuana, alongside smaller amounts of cocaine, ecstasy, kush marijuana, and ketamine,» Matta said.

Matta commended the relentless dedication of his men «as we pursue our anti-illegal drug campaign, our team works tirelessly to disrupt the networks that fuel this crisis. Every operation we undertake is a step toward a safer,