Pubdate: Tue, 11 Jan 2005
Source: People's Journal (Philippines)
Copyright: 2005 People's Journal
Contact: http://www.journal.com.ph/contactus.asp
Website: http://www.journal.com.ph/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3381
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

'OPERATION: PRIVATE EYE' POTENT WEAPON
VS ILLEGAL DRUGS

THE Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency's "Operation: Private Eye" is fast 
becoming an effective weapon against rampant illegal drugs trade in the 
country.

In an interview with the public service program "Kakampi Mo Ang Batas," 
PDEA Assistant Secretary Rodolfo Caisip revealed that the Operation: 
Private Eye of the anti-drug agency has yielded positive results since its 
inception two years ago.

Hosted by public service lawyer Atty. Batas Mauricio, "Kakampi Mo Ang 
Batas" is aired from Monday to Friday, 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. over UN 
Television (Free TV Channel 37, Sky Cable Channel 95, Home Cable Channel 59 
and Dream Cable Channel 13).

Caisip said that 11 shabu laboratories were discovered in 2004, mainly 
through the help of Operation: Private Eye. "Aside from this, we have also 
destroyed several marijuana plantations in Benguet and other parts of 
Northern Luzon with the help of the Armed Forces of the Philippines," he added.

Caisip explained that concerned citizens can help in fighting illegal drugs 
through Operation: Private Eye by filling up an information sheet at the 
PDEA office containing the data about the operation of a certain shabu 
laboratory or syndicate.

Once the information yields positive results, the informer gets a cash 
reward corresponding to the quantity of the drugs seized and the number of 
suspects arrested, Caisip said.

"An informer can receive as much as P1.5 million for a large shabu 
laboratory while P500,000 and P1 million are given to those who can 
pinpoint a small and medium shabu laboratory," he added.

Operation: Private Eye got its biggest break when PDEA received a tip from 
an informer regarding the operation of a huge shabu laboratory in Mandaue City.

Eleven suspected members, including eight foreign nationals, of a drug 
syndicate were arrested while 675 kilograms of shabu were recovered from 
the clandestine laboratory.
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