Staff reporter
LAOAG CITY—Owing to the intensified drive against prohibited drugs, the
Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in Ilocos Norte reported that drug
supply in the province has significantly dropped.
PDEA agent Lanibelle Ancheta made the announcement as she provided
anti-drug activities and updates on the drug clearing operations here.
In 2016, Ms. Ancheta reported they seized a total of 51,4823 grams of
shabu. She added that the total seized
volume of 10.0075 grams in 2017 is significantly lower, which, she said, means
the supply has dropped by more than 100 hundred percent.
From January up to present, the PDEA Ilocos Norte reported seizing at least
5.7036 grams.
According to Ms. Ancheta, one of PDEA’s greatest achievement include the
January 26, 2018 arrest of Marvin Crisostomo, a former Piddig councilor and a staff
member of Piddig vice mayor Generoso Aquino.
To date, the PDEA has declared nine out of the 21 towns and two cities of
Ilocos Norte as “drug-free”. These are the towns of Carasi, Marcos, Adams,
Banna, Currimao, Dumalneg, Burgos, Piddig and Vintar.
Of the total 518 drug affected barangays in Ilocos Norte, the PDEA said they
have validated and cleared at least 61 percent, or 320.
While validating the remaining 198 barangays, Ms. Ancheta urged Ilocos
Norte officials and residents to continue to be more vigilant to suppress the
entry of prohibited drugs.
“Despite limited manpower and logistics, let’s continue to stay vigilant
and help maintain peace and order in the province,” Ms. Ancheta underscored.
Once they clear a drug-affected barangay, PDEA clarified that even if law
enforcers arrest a drug suspect on the same locality, this will not affect the said
status a. PDEA, however, has a maximum of 30 days to take proper action. (Leilanie G. Adriano)
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