PRO-7 Clamps Down Illegal Drugs in CenVis

Records from the Police Regional Office (PRO-7) showed that more suspects involved in illegal drugs, either as users or pushers, have been nabbed in Central Visayas with 2,720 arrests from January to November 15, 2014 compared to the 1,759 arrests last year and 1,258 in 2012.

Since then the PRO-7 arrested 5,737 illegal drugs suspects in the region.

The PRO-7 also reported a drastic hike on the number of cases filed against illegal drugs suspects with 3,091 cases now lodged in the proper courts since January to mid-November, this year compared to the 1,622 cases last year and 1,374 in 2012.

“There is an increase of 90 percent in the volume of illegal drugs cases filed in the courts this year compared to last year,” bared P/Supt. Marvin Sanchez, chief of the Regional Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Group (RAIDSOTG) of PRO-7 during the recent ‘Talakayan sa Isyung Pulis’ (TSIP) Forum.

According to Sanchez, more anti-illegal drug operations have also been conducted this year from January to November 15 with 2,173 operations corresponding to slightly over 50 percent increase compared to last year. In 2013, the PRO-7 conducted 1,417 drug operations and in 2012 with 1,188 operations.

From 2012 to November 15, this year, PRO-7 confiscated some 13,785.42 grams of shabu with a net worth of P162.667 million.

The Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO) on the other hand conducted the most number of anti-illegal drugs operations since 2012 with 1,544 followed by the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) with 1,291 and in third spot is the Negros Oriental Provincial Police Office (NPPO) with 616.

In the most number of apprehensions since 2012, the CPPO also ranked first with 2,019 followed again by the CCPO with 1,527 and third placer is again the NPPO with 664 arrests.

Likewise, CPPO led all police offices in the region with the most number of cases filed against illegal drugs suspects since 2012 at 1,670 followed by the CCPO with 1,474 cases while Lapulapu City Police Office ranked third with 922 cases.

PRO-7 deputy regional director for operations S/Supt. Conrado Capa said population and local economy are major factors that determine the rise of illegal drugs which comes as of no surprise why Cebu among all provinces in the region is beset with the social problem.

“But we assure the people of Central Visayas that your police is working hard in addressing the problem,” said Capa. (mbcn/FCR/PIA-7)