Illegal drugs in Western Visayas on a downtrend — PDEA

Illegal drugs in Western Visayas on a downtrend — PDEA
Rondo Docille
December 10, 2009, 6:09pm


ILOILO CITY (PNA) – The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) has noted a recent downtrend in the supply and demand of illegal drugs in Western Visayas.

Paul Ledesma, Officer-in-Charge of PDEA Region 6, said the downtrend is largely due to the effectivity of the PDEA’s public cooperation and awareness program and the agency’s stepped-up campaign against drug traffickers and users.

Ledesma assured that a vigorous campaign against illegal drugs is already ongoing in Iloilo in preparation for the Dinagyang Festival next month. He also maintained that there is no known drug laboratory in the region because all supplies of illegal drugs particularly methamphetamine hydrochloride or “shabu” and marijuana are from outside sources, especially Manila.

The point-of-entry, especially different ports in the region, have PDEA agents and volunteer workers readily apprehending drug couriers, the PDEA regional chief said. In his report to the Regional Peace and Order Council recently, Ledesma underscored the active participation of anti-illegal drug operators in the regio