PDEA SAYS ILLEGAL DRUG CURBED

THE decline of buy-bust operations is proof that the drug problem in Region
12 has reduced, said Supt. Efren Alcuizar, regional director of the
Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).

Alcuizar on Wednesday said PDEA has recorded a number of dramatic declines
in different drug-related areas of concern.

PDEA conducted only 257 anti-illegal drug operations last year compared to
526 operations in 2002, he said.

The number of arrests likewise went down from 791 in 2002, to only 383 last
year.

Of the persons arrested last year, 133 were drug users. The number of
arrested drug pushers also went down from 664 to only 239 last year.

Alcuizar said they have successfully neutralized most of the suspected drug
pushers and users in the region.

The number of seized illegal drugs also dramatically went down.

Only 1.32 kilos of methampethamine hydrochloride or shabu, the most abused
illegal substance, were confiscated last year, compared to the seized 1.97
kilos in the preceding year.

Seizure of fully grown marijuana also declined from 149,974 in 2002 to just
4,053 last year.

The total market value of seized illegal drugs also declined from P44.15
million to just P10.8 million in 2003, as well as the number of cases filed
by PDEA.

Alcuizar, however, admitted that of the total cases they have filed since he
assumed office, only one suspected drug pusher has been convicted so far.

Thong Namil, found guilty for violating the Anti-Dangerous Drugs Act, was
sentenced to 15 years of imprisonment.