PDEA steps up monitoring of illegal drugs transshipment in Ilocos Norte

By Leilanie G. Adriano

Staff Reporter

LAOAG CITY—The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) has intensified their surveillance operations against international drug syndicates who are taking advantage of the Ilocos Norte’s 150-kilometer shoreline as possible transshipment points.

The PDEA agents in Laoag City said shabu and marijuana remain to be the most abused drugs in the region with plantations discovered in La Union and Ilocos Sur.

Of the 31 operations conducted since January, the PDEA reported that at least 37 drug personalities were arrested. Three of the 31 successive operations were based on intelligence operations.

Based on initial findings, PDEA elements identified about 50 barangays from Laoag City, San Nicolas and Badoc as transshipment points of prohibited drugs originating from Cavite to Pangasinan and Ilocos Norte.

At present, the cost of shabu is pegged at P5,000 to P6,000 per gram while marijuana is sold at P25 to P50 per gram.

“The price is relatively lower compared [to] previous years,” said a PDEA agent citing the new mode of delivery now is through “dead drop” which means drug dealers have likewise upgraded their trade, making it harder for anti-narcotics authorities to monitor their sale.

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