Pubdate: Wed, 21 Apr 2004
Source: Sunstar Pangasinan (Philippines)
Copyright: 2004 Sunstar
Contact:  http://www.sunstar.com.ph/pangasinan/index.html
Author: Fred P. Macaraeg

SHABU SUPPLY IN PANGASINAN DROPS

Shift to marijuana foreseen

THE Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) has foreseen a possible shift
of drug personalities in Pangasinan from shabu to marijuana.

Chief Insp. Christopher Abrahano, PDEA provincial officer, made the
prediction due to the decreasing supply of shabu in the province.

"So far, the trend that the price of shabu keeps on increasing has not
changed. In fact, our operation has become seldom, not because we are not
diligent but that the supply on decreasing," he said.

Abrahano said due to this, the PDEA is expecting a shift to marijuana.

The PDEA provincial officer however said they have conducted a series of
marijuana plantation eradication in Region I at its tri-boundaries.

But Abrahano said the situation in Pangasinan is good because they managed
to check the drug personalities' movements.

Proof of this was the arrest of suspected drug pusher, identified as Yuomer
Abella, 37, a resident of Barangay Guilig, Mangaldan, who was arrested in a
joint drug operation by PDEA and Pangasinan police.

The operation against the suspect was conducted following confirmation from
a period of surveillance on drug pushing activities in the fourth district
of Pangasinan.

A PDEA operative posed as a drug pusher/buyer when Abella delivered to him
the drug that later led to his arrest.

Abrahano said the suspect is not in the drug watch list of the authorities.
He believes that Abella's supply could come from Quiapo, Manila. 
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