By Glazyl M. Jopson
BACOLOD CITY – The Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (Nocppo) confiscated PHP44,913,704 worth of illegal drugs across the province in 2024.
This amount is PHP9,837,413.48 higher than the PHP35,076,290.52 seized in 2023.
The 2024 drug haul included 6,576.765 grams of shabu valued at PHP44,722,002; 1,365.85 grams of dried marijuana leaves worth PHP163,902; and 139 grams of full-grown marijuana plants worth PHP27,800, bringing the total to PHP191,702.
Nocppo conducted 1,003 operations, comprising 806 buy-bust operations, four search warrants, 118 arrest warrants, 71 police responses, and four checkpoint operations.
These operations led to the arrest of 1,235 individuals involved in drug-related activities, including 90 high-value individuals (HVIs) and 1,145 street-level individuals (SLIs).
Of the 31 police stations in the province, Silay City recorded the highest drug haul with PHP8.4 million worth of illegal drugs and 84 buy-bust operations. Kabankalan City followed with PHP8.2 million, while San Carlos City accounted for PHP6.5 million.
The municipality of Candoni reported the lowest drug recovery, amounting to PHP12,478 worth of shabu.
In 2023, Nocppo conducted 833 anti-drug operations, which included 643 buy-busts, 11 search warrants, 125 arrest warrants, 47 police responses, and seven checkpoints.
These efforts led to the seizure of 5,250.925 grams of shabu valued at PHP34,875,450, and 1,673.67 grams of marijuana worth PHP200,840.52. Authorities arrested 1,027 suspects, including 73 HVIs and 954 SLIs.
Police Capt. Judesses Catalogo, Nocppo’s public information officer, said their sustained anti-drug efforts rely on continued collaboration with other law enforcement agencies and the support of the community.
He emphasized that public trust, particularly in voluntarily reporting illegal activities, has significantly contributed to the success of drug operations in the province.
Catalogo added that Nocppo remains committed to maintaining the momentum in their fight against illegal drugs.
