PDEA STEPS UP ANTI-DRUGS DRIVE

PHILIPPINE Drug Enforcement Agency chief Anselmo S. Avenido, Jr.
yesterday ordered a stepped-up anti-drugs drive during the holidays
amid fears that drug syndicates would intensify their illegal activities.

"We are not letting our guards down even during Christmas and New Year
because based on our past experience, there is usually an increase in
illegal drug activities as drug syndicates take advantage of the
relaxed and festive atmosphere," said Avenido.

He said drug lords affected by the crackdown on shabu laboratories and
warehouses may have temporarily halted their operations and stored
their stuff in secret warehouses.

"It's always possible that these drug lords would try to release their
stocks to their underground contacts for sale to the local drug
market," Avenido said.

Both the PDEA chief and Philippine National Police Anti-Illegal Drugs
Special Operations Task Force commander Director Marcelo S. Ele, Jr.
said they have noted a scarcity of shabu in the country and credited
it to the success of the government in locating and destroying shabu
laboratories and warehouses over the past three years.

"We are having a hard time getting big deals in our undercover
operations unlike in the past when we can easily score a kilo of shabu
or more in stings," said Avenido.

Because of this, innovative drug dealers have resorted to adulterating
their stuff with ingredients like talc, menthol candy and bathroom
deodorizers, he said.

"These adulterated drugs are not only dangerous to health but can even
cause death.They can lead to bloody retaliation from offended drug
addicts," Avenido said.

The two officials said marijuana remains the second favorite among
drug users in the country due to its availability and cheaper price. A
kilo of marijuana costs P2,000 compared to a gram of shabu which costs
P5,000.

Undercover PDEA agents have also been fielded in different parts of
Metro Manila and the provinces where illegal drug trafficking and
abuse are reported.

"These are proactive measures designed to monitor and control the
movements and activities of drug syndicates who may take advantage of
the holidays to increase their illegal business," said Avenido.