Pubdate: Sat, 22 Jan 2005
Source: Manila Standard (Philippines)
Copyright: 2005 Manila Standard
Contact:  http://www.manilastandardonline.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3450
Author: Ignacio Dee
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

SHABU PRODUCTION DOWN BY 40%

The Philippine National Police's anti-illegal drugs unit, working with 
other antidrug enforcement authorities, has reduced shabu production in the 
country by 40 percent.

PNP Deputy Director Ricardo de Leon, head of the anti-illegal drug special 
task force, attributed this development to the raids on the mega-shabu labs 
in Mandaue, Bataan and Bulacan late last year.

De Leon said the price of shabu is now P6,000 per gram from its previous 
price of P2,000: "This shows that we have been hitting them hard."

PNP's continued vigilance against illegal drugs in airports and seaports 
has also helped curb the sale of shabu.

"Our latest order from President Arroyo is to step up our campaign against 
marijuana plantations," De Leon said.

PNP discovered eight marijuana plantations in Barangay Caoayan, Sugpon, 
Ilocos Sur last Thursday. The raiding teams uprooted and destroyed 279,000 
full-grown marijuana plants, which were cultivated in an aggregate area 
approximately 2.37 ha.

By bearing down on marijuana plantations, anti-illegal drug authorities 
want to drive the plant's price up to P200 a gram to high levels. Combined 
with tough enforcement, this would make marijuana risky to sell.
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