By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan | Philippine News Agency
Joint operations by the Philippine National Police (PNP), Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), and Philippine Navy on Monday intercepted P19.2 million worth of suspected marijuana or “kush” in the West Philippine Sea.
In a news release on Tuesday, PNP acting Chief, PLt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., said Navy soldiers discovered a black duffle bag drifting at sea during a routine maritime patrol near Sabina Shoal.
Upon inspection, 32 heat-sealed plastic packs filled with dried buds of suspected marijuana, weighing approximately 16 kilograms, were found.
The seized items were brought to the Philippine Navy facility in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan where documentation and inventory were conducted in coordination with the PDEA provincial office.
“It was a clear demonstration of the unity among our law enforcement and defense agencies working hand in hand to protect our people and preserve the integrity of our borders,” Nartatez said.
PNP spokesperson and information chief PBrig. Gen. Randulf Tuaño highlighted the value of inter-agency cooperation in curbing drug trafficking through maritime routes.
“We are determined to ensure that the country’s waterways are never exploited by drug traffickers,” Tuaño said.
P928-M illegal drugs seized, 142 nabbed
Meanwhile, the PDEA and the PNP have seized P928.03 million worth of illegal drugs during operations on Oct. 10 to 17.
PDEA Director General Isagani Nerez said agents conducted 89 anti-illegal drug operations that led to the arrest of 142 individuals and the confiscation of 109,681.84 grams of shabu, 28 ml of liquid shabu, 7,100 grams of cocaine, 62,344.82 grams of marijuana kush, 14.17 grams of marijuana dried leaves, 81,920 marijuana plants, 124 ml of marijuana oil, and 1,250 marijuana seedlings.
Of the 142 arrested suspects, 70 were pushers, 34 drug den visitors or clients, 15 drug den owners or maintainers, 11 employees, and 12 possessors. (PNA)
