P1.58-M Illegal Drugs Seized in SoCot in 3 Months

Police operatives in South Cotabato province recovered some PHP1.58 million worth of illegal drugs in a series of anti-drug operations during the last quarter of 2018.

Senior Supt. Joel Limson, acting South Cotabato police director, said Thursday the illegal items were seized during 107 successful search and checkpoint operations, as well as other related raids conducted by police units within the province’s 10 towns and lone city.

He said they specifically recovered some 194.79 grams of shabu, 569.24 grams of dried marijuana leaves, and 3,030 hills of marijuana plants.

During the operations, Limson said at least 86 suspected drug personalities were arrested and are currently facing some 103 cases in various local courts.

“These are all solid cases and we’re closely monitoring their progress to ensure the conviction of the suspects,” he said in a briefing.

Aside from the anti-drug operations, which are part of the supply reduction strategy, Limson said their units accomplished various advocacy activities that were mainly aimed at reducing the demand for illegal drugs.

He said these activities were centered in secondary schools and in the community or barangay levels.

The official said they posted or displayed a total of 345 advocacy and promotional tarpaulins, and distributed 57,509 flyers in 1,201 events and visitations.

They were able to conduct 248 advocacy activities through the local tri-media or radio, print and television, he said.

He said their personnel made a total of 4,198 advocacy posts on the illegal drug problem via the social media, especially on Facebook.

Limson, who assumed his post only last November, said they would continue their intensified anti-drug activities this year, focusing on both street level and high-value drug personalities.

He said he specifically ordered their intelligence units to step up their monitoring against suspected drug groups operating in the area.

“Rest assured that our relentless campaign will continue and we will not stop until we cleanse our communities of this menace,” he added. (PNA)