Police in Negros Oriental seized nearly PHP27.6 million worth of suspected shabu in the first nine months of 2026, an official said Thursday.
Capt. Stephen Polinar, spokesperson for the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office (NOrPPO), said the seizures resulted from sustained anti-illegal drug operations across the province from Jan. 1 to Sept. 30.
“The campaign against illegal drugs is one of the four focus points of NOrPPO and we have sustained police operations across the province without compromising other anti-crime activities,” Polinar told the Philippine News Agency in an interview.
NOrPPO records showed that police conducted 460 anti-drug operations during the period, resulting in the arrest of 44 high-value individuals and 425 street-level individuals.
Police confiscated close to 4,000 grams of suspected shabu amounting to PHP27.6 million, as well as 3,015 suspected marijuana plants and 78.2 grams of marijuana leaves.
Polinar said the province’s campaign against loose firearms and explosives also resulted in 580 firearms and explosives being confiscated, surrendered or deposited for safekeeping during 555 operations.
The operations resulted in the arrest of 101 people and the confiscation of 336 firearms. Another 168 firearms were surrendered, and 69 were deposited for safekeeping pending the renewal of permits and licenses.
Police also confiscated seven explosives during the period.
Meanwhile, anti-smuggling operations led to the seizure of illegal cigarettes valued at about PHP25.5 million and the arrest of 13 individuals.
Police also arrested 1,093 most wanted persons at the regional, provincial and municipal/city levels, along with other wanted persons.
Polinar said police also arrested 40,316 individuals for violations of various ordinances and issued citations.
He said anti-illegal drug operations would continue as the province prepares for the Buglasan Festival from Oct. 15 to 25, followed by major observances, including All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day, the Dumaguete fiesta in November and the Christmas holidays.*PNA
[sibwp_form id=1]