THE Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO) seized more than P73 million worth of illegal drugs and arrested 1,557 pushers and users in 1,021 operations from January to November this year.
Supt. Rodolfo Albotra Jr. said the haul is P53 million higher than that of last year, which was P20 million.
Albotra, the Provincial Intelligence Branch (PIB) chief, said their drive against illegal drugs is successful because of the community’s cooperation.
His office and the Cebu Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Council (CPADAC) received tips about drug personalities from residents.
“More people are now concerned and more people are getting involved in the fight against illegal drugs,” he said.
From January to November this year, 1,887 drug cases were filed in court, 957 cases more from 930 cases filed for the same period last year.
Albotra said they hauled 5,642.10 grams of shabu for this year, higher than last year’s 1,440.9 grams.
He said they expect the demand for illegal drugs to increase this month because of the bonuses.
The police official said the operations against illegal drugs were intensified on orders of Police Regional Office 7 Prudencio Tom Bañas.
He said the support of Cebu Provincial Government and CPADAC also motivate the police stations in towns to be more aggressive in conducting buy-busts against drug pushers.
The operations conducted by PIB and Provincial Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Group (Paidsotg) in November led to the arrests of Hilario Palmero, Carla Bazar and Remedios Cabardo in Barangay Tangke, Talisay City.
More than P1 million were seized from the suspects.
Meanwhile, the Provincial Intelligence Branch and Provincial Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Group arrested suspected drug pusher Philip Peña in Barangay Looc, Danao City last Wednesday night.
The operatives confiscated six packs of white crystals believed to be shabu from the suspect.
The illegal drugs weigh 25.7 grams and are worth P303, 260, according to the Dangerous Drugs Board.
Peña will face complaints for selling and possession of dangerous drugs, violating Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002).