Pubdate: Tue, 07 Nov 2006
Source: Visayan Daily Star (Philippines)
Copyright: 2006 Visayan Daily Star
Contact:  http://www.visayandailystar.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1688
Author: Gilbert Bayoran

COPS HUNTING FOR 178 DRUG PUSHERS IN WV

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and its  deputized policemen 
agents in Western Visayas are still  hunting for 178 more drug 
pushers, with 264 already  accounted for.

Of the 178 still at large, 41 are operating in 31 towns  and cities 
of Negros Occidental, and 13 in Bacolod  City, PDEA records showed yesterday.

PDEA regional director Rolen Balquin yesterday said 45  of the 175 
drug-affected barangays in Western Visayas  are located in Bacolod 
City and in the towns and cities  of Negros Occidental.

Six local drug groups, including the Cuadra Gang, now  allegedly 
headed by Gerald Cuadra, son of convicted  alleged drug lord Jose Kim 
Cuadra, are also targets of  the combined efforts of PDEA and the 
Philippine  National for disbandment in the region, Balquin said.

PDEA also reported that it has confiscated more than  half a kilo of 
suspected shabu with an estimated market  value of P2.5 million, and 
40 kilos of dried marijuana  leaves in the same period, from arrested 
drug pushers  and users.

Balquin said they have also confiscated two .38 caliber  revolvers, a 
Nissan Sentra vehicle and P24,604 in cash  believed to be proceeds 
from the sale of prohibited  drugs.

PDEA records also showed that Iloilo province has the  most number of 
drug-affected barangays with 84,  followed by Negros Occidental - 40, 
Iloilo City - 21,  Capiz - 10, Guimaras - 9, Bacolod - 5, Aklan - 4.

In the same period, Iloilo province also has the most  number of drug 
pushers and users with 82, Negros  Occidental and Iloilo - 76 each, 
Capiz -56, Bacolod  City and Aklan - 34, Guimaras - 15 and Antique - 8.*GPB
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MAP posted-by: Elaine