Pubdate: Thu, 12 May 2005
Source: Freeman, The (Philippines)
Copyright: 2005 The Freeman
Contact:  http://www.thefreeman.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3437
Author: Ryan P. Borinaga and Jessa Chrisna Marie Agua
Cited: US Drug Enforcement Administration http://www.dea.gov
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/areas/Philippines

NEW APPROACH VS. DRUGS SOON

Beginning next month, the police will introduce a new approach in
their campaign against the illegal drugs trade after they found out
that the number of pushers in the city has not decreased.

Drug Enforcement Section chief George Ylanan told reporters yesterday
that an updated watchlist of drug personalities has been compiled
based on reports from station commanders.

The data reveals that there are about 200 drug pushers in the city.
But the police could not claim progress in their campaign because new
pushers would surface whenever a drug suspect is arrested.

The new approach against drug pushers in the city was agreed during a
meeting with Councilor Augustus Jun Pe, who heads the council
committee on dangerous drugs.

It will be patterned after the one being used by the United States
Drug Enforcement Agency.

At present, San Nicolas Police Station has the most problematic
jurisdiction because it controls barangays Pasil, Suba, Sawang Calero
and Calamba, which are known drug havens.

As this developed, intelligence reports revealed that the price of
shabu has significantly decreased with five grams which used to be at
P16,000 to P28,000 last November can now be bought at P8,000.

Ylanan said this is due to the entry of cheaper stocks from another
places.

Meanwhile, almost 200 packs of shabu were seized by the Provincial
Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Group-Provincial
Intelligence Investigation Branch (PAIDSOTG-PIIB) in Looc, Maribago,
Lapu-Lapu City last Tuesday afternoon.

The prohibited drug was confiscated from a certain Paterno "Ano"
Amistad, 33, and his cousin, Romeo "Adonis" Amistad, 42, both
residents of the place.

Their arrest came by virtue of a search warrant issued by Judge Jesus
dela Pena.

The PAIDSOTG-PIIB team, which was headed by P/Insp. Wilfredo Pulvera,
together with the Lapu-Lapu City Police Intelligence Unit, earlier
conducted a two-week surveillance over reports of the rampant drug
trade in Maribago.

Also confiscated during the raid were shabu paraphernalia and a .45
caliber pistol.

The suspects were first brought to the Cebu Provincial Police Office
and were now temporarily detained at the Lapu-lapu City jail.
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