POLICE confiscated nearly half a billion pesos worth of illegal drugs and arrested close to 4,000 suspects in a five-month anti-criminality campaign in Central Visayas.
The Police Regional Office (PRO) 7 reported that its intensified operations from Jan. 1 to May 31, 2025, resulted in the seizure of P494.8 million worth of illegal drugs and the arrest of 3,948 drug suspects.
According to data from the PRO 7, authorities seized 72.32 kilograms of shabu, valued at P491.8 million based on the standard drug price, and P3 million worth of marijuana plants.
Police carried out 3,420 anti-illegal drug operations, leading to the arrest of 215 high-value targets, 2,180 street-level suspects, and 1,553 newly identified drug personalities.
PRO 7 Director Brig. Gen. Redrico Maranan lauded his personnel’s commitment in pursuing individuals involved in the illegal drug trade.
“This achievement is the result of intensified law enforcement, community collaboration, and unyielding resolve to protect the people of Central Visayas from the destructive grip of illegal drugs. We will continue our efforts until our communities are truly safe, peaceful, and drug-free,” Maranan said.
In the campaign against wanted individuals, PRO 7 also apprehended 2,817 wanted persons, including 410 categorized as most wanted. A total of 2,826 high-impact tracker operations were launched, resulting in the arrest of long-hunted fugitives.
Among those apprehended were 93 most wanted at the regional level, 157 at the provincial level, 44 at the city level, 110 at the municipal level, and six at the station level. Additionally, 2,407 persons with pending arrest warrants for various cases were taken into custody. / AYB