Crisis crunch hits druggies: 'Maryjane' back, 'Shabu' out?
Believe it or not, even the region's druggies are hit by the economic crisis.
This, as combined efforts of the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO 6) and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency 6 (PDEA 6) bare significant decline on trade and proliferation of illegal drugs here.
In a report, The News Today (TNT) gathered that first quarter “intensified operations” of anti-illegal drug operatives led to the recovery of over 1,600 grams of Marijuana. In contrast was the “only” a little over 4.3 grams of Shabu.
Marijuana with on overused street name of “Maryjane” is cannabis sativa to experts while Shabu otherwise known as “poor man's cocaine” is Methamphetamine Hydrochloride.
“In the same period last year, the joint efforts… resulted to the recovery of 30.89 grams of marijuana and 16.70 grams of shabu. Comparatively, the figures showed the prevalence in preference for substance among drug users, indicating the shift of drug users from shabu to marijuana,” the PRO 6 in a news release stated. “The increasing street value of shabu could also be a factor to this, said PRO 6 Director, Police Chief Superintendent Isagani R Cuevas, adding that the PNP is putting up stiffer measures to deter the proliferation of illegal drug trade, particularly shabu.”
To note, the PRO 6 in its campaign increased the number of police personnel detailed with anti-illegal drugs units.
“In a report from PRO 6 Operations and Plans Division, Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) topped the accomplishments with 18 arrested suspects and a total of 1,204.41 grams of marijuana. IPPO also has the highest number of cases filed against the suspects (numbering to) 15. Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) has arrested 15 suspects and filed 12 cases. Negros Occidental Provincial Police Office and Bacolod City Police Office have arrested 14 suspects each and filed 14 and 9 cases, respectively. Antique Provincial Police Office arrested 9 suspects and filed 10 cases. Capiz Provincial Police Office arrested 5 and filed 4 cases against the suspects. Guimaras PPO has arrested 2 suspects and filed 2 cases, while Antique PPO arrested only 1 suspect who is now facing a drug rap. The Regional Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Group has scored 8 drug pushers and filed 8 cases against the suspects.” the news release added in a detailed drug-case accomplishment report.
Chief Superintendent Cuevas was all praised on the efforts of police operatives which resulted to a total of 129 anti-drugs operations in January to March of this year alone.
Such as the PRO 6 director assured full support to PNP personnel harassed by the arrested suspects.
“It is always a trend. Suspects tend to file counter charges against our operatives,” he said adding that PRO-6 Legal Service is also always ready to provide the necessary assistance.
Cuevas believed that the illegal drug trade in Western Visayas is going on a decline with the intensified anti-drug operations, like buy-bust and the implementation of search warrant against the identified drug personalities.
“While we are doing our best, we alone can’t solve the menace. We need the support of the public in this campaign,” Cuevas ended. (With reports from POIII Francisco B Lindero Jr.)