COPS HUNTING FOR 178 DRUG PUSHERS IN WV

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and its deputized policemen
agents in Western Visayas are still hunting for 178 more drug
pushers, with 264 already accounted for.

Of the 178 still at large, 41 are operating in 31 towns and cities
of Negros Occidental, and 13 in Bacolod City, PDEA records showed yesterday.

PDEA regional director Rolen Balquin yesterday said 45 of the 175
drug-affected barangays in Western Visayas are located in Bacolod
City and in the towns and cities of Negros Occidental.

Six local drug groups, including the Cuadra Gang, now allegedly
headed by Gerald Cuadra, son of convicted alleged drug lord Jose Kim
Cuadra, are also targets of the combined efforts of PDEA and the
Philippine National for disbandment in the region, Balquin said.

PDEA also reported that it has confiscated more than half a kilo of
suspected shabu with an estimated market value of P2.5 million, and
40 kilos of dried marijuana leaves in the same period, from arrested
drug pushers and users.

Balquin said they have also confiscated two .38 caliber revolvers, a
Nissan Sentra vehicle and P24,604 in cash believed to be proceeds
from the sale of prohibited drugs.

PDEA records also showed that Iloilo province has the most number of
drug-affected barangays with 84, followed by Negros Occidental - 40,
Iloilo City - 21, Capiz - 10, Guimaras - 9, Bacolod - 5, Aklan - 4.

In the same period, Iloilo province also has the most number of drug
pushers and users with 82, Negros Occidental and Iloilo - 76 each,
Capiz -56, Bacolod City and Aklan - 34, Guimaras - 15 and Antique - 8.*GPB