Over P45-M illegal drugs seized in W. Visayas in March

ILOILO CITY – The month-long campaign of various units under the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO6) confiscated around 6,709 grams of shabu and 42 grams of marijuana with a total estimated price of P45.62 million in March this year.

PRO6 data showed for the whole month, the 194 police-initiated operations also apprehended 242 illegal drug personalities.

Lt. Col. Arnel M. Solis, officer-in-charge of the Regional Public Information Office, said in a text message on Tuesday that the successful campaign was the result of the directive of PRO6 director Brig. Gen. Jack Wanky for all drug enforcement units in the region to sustain their efforts down to the local police stations.

The Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit (RPDEU) got the biggest drug haul of about 3,374 grams of shabu, followed by the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) with 1,369 grams, and the Iloilo Police Provincial Office with 651 grams.

The rest of the illegal substances came from operations in Negros Occidental, Capiz, and Aklan.

The confiscated volume of drugs is slightly lower compared with February when operating units launched 198 operations and seized over P45.78 million worth of drugs comprising 6,732 grams of shabu and 28 grams of marijuana. A total of 282 drug suspects were arrested.

Meanwhile, Mayor Jerry Treñas lauded the accomplishment of the ICPO.

"I am happy with the continuous drug operations of the Iloilo City PNP (Philippine National Police), and I will continue my support for them. We will have one of the best LGU-supported and equipped PNP in the country," he said in a statement on Tuesday. (PNA)