CV IS 'DRUG TRANSSHIPMENT POINT'

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol -- The Regional Peace and Order Council disclosed
that Central Visayas serves as transshipment point for most illegal drug
traders due to its strategic location.

"Region 7 is not only the heart of commerce and industry in the Visayas
including parts of northern Mindanao, but is also a transshipment point for
most illegal drugs traders," said Regional Police Director Avelino Razon Jr.
Razon reported to the President during the joint meeting of the Regional
Development Council and RPOC here last Wednesday.

Razon said that because of Central Visayas' position as the center of trade
and commerce of the south and for its numerous air, land and sea routes,
Cebu has become a market for illegal drugs and the drug transshipment hub of
the region for its access to any point in eastern and western Visayas
including certain areas in Mindanao, Shabu in the region is sourced mainly
from three major points, Metro Manila, Ozamis City and Zamboanga City and
lands directly on Cebu City prior to its distribution to other provinces and
regions, Razon said.

Out of 3,003 barangays in Region 7, a total of 286 barangays are seriously
affected, 39 are less seriously affected and 92 are threatened to be
affected.

A barangay is classified as "seriously affected" of drugs when 2.5 percent
or more of the local population are drug dependents and or there exist
pushers or drug traffickers, drug syndicates and or having marijuana
plantation within the barangay.

A barangay is said to be "less seriously affected" when 1 percent to 2.49
percent of the local residents are drug dependents and a barangay is
"threatened to be affected" when less than 1 percent of the total population
are drug dependents.