PDEA-CAR bares 10-year accomplishment, assures intensified campaign vs illegal drugs

By Carlito C. Dar

Tuesday 31st of July 2012

BAGUIO CITY, July 31 (PIA) -- The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) recently celebrated its 10th year anniversary with the theme, "A decade of safeguarding the nation through effective drug enforcement."

The PDEA-CAR, headed by Ronald Allan Ricardo, regional director, highlighted its anniversary program celebration on July 26 in the Camp Dangwa, La Trinidad Benguet, with the presentation of their 10-year service-accomplishment to the public.

PDEA-CAR reported the neutralization of 15 local drug groups within its area of responsibility.

For marijuana eradication, PDEA conducted 117 operations which resulted in the destruction of marijuana plants, stalks, seedlings, fruiting tops and dried leaves with a total Dangerous Drug Board value of over P4.5 billion.

PDEA also reported that in the anti-drug operations, they conducted 815 buy-bust/entrapment operations that led to the confiscation of over P4.69-billion worth of dangerous drugs and the arrest of 911 individuals, including 89 persons listed in the drug watch list and 69 in the target list.

For this year alone, from January to June, PDEA-CAR also reported that they have conducted 56 buy-bust/entrapment, 12 marijuana eradication activity, and 20 search and seizure operations, which led to the confiscation of P347,513,779.50-worth of dangerous drugs and the arrest of 93 persons, including five from the drug watch list and one in the target list.

Meantime, Ricardo also assured a continuous intensive and unrelenting campaign against illegal and dangerous drugs in the region, in which they are also pushing for continuous competency enhancement and capability building for their personnel.

At present, PDEA-CAR has 44 agents, three technical staff, 11 administrative personnel, and four project employees.

PDEA was created by Republic Act 9165 or the Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 signed on June 7, 2002 and took effect July 4, 2002.(JDP/CCD-PIA CAR)