The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) announced a significant blow against the illegal drug trade this week, reporting the confiscation of narcotics valued at over PHP136 million and the arrest of 76 individuals in a series of coordinated operations across the country.
Massive Haul and Arrests in One Week
In a statement released on Monday, January 12, 2026, PDEA Director General Isagani Nerez disclosed the results of the agency's anti-drug campaign from January 2 to January 9. The operations led to the seizure of PHP136.18 million worth of prohibited substances and the apprehension of 76 suspects.
Nerez attributed these successes to 53 separate intelligence-driven operations conducted nationwide. "These operations highlight PDEA's sustained and intelligence-driven approach to dismantling illegal drug networks across the country," the director general stated.
Breakdown of Confiscated Drugs and Suspects
The inventory of seized illegal drugs presents a clear picture of the scale of the bust. The contraband included a substantial quantity of shabu, various forms of marijuana, and cannabis oil.
- 18,522.31 grams of shabu (methamphetamine hydrochloride)
- 4,483.66 grams of dried marijuana leaves and bricks
- 4,068.00 grams
- 20,400 pieces of marijuana plants
- 290 milliliters of cannabis oil
- 149 grams of marijuana oil
The arrested individuals came from various roles within the drug trade hierarchy. Among the 76 persons arrested:
- 53 were identified as drug pushers.
- 13 were visitors or clients of drug dens.
- Four were owners or maintainers of drug dens.
- One was a drug possessor.
- One was a drug den employee.
- Four were importers.
Legal Consequences and Next Steps
All arrested suspects are set to face serious legal consequences for their alleged involvement in the illegal drug trade. Charges for violating Republic Act 9165, the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, will be filed against each individual.
The confiscated evidence, which forms the core of the case against the suspects, will undergo a rigorous forensic examination. Following this process, the evidence will be formally presented in court to support the prosecution's case. This procedure underscores the agency's commitment to building airtight, evidence-based cases to secure convictions.
The recent wave of operations demonstrates the PDEA's ongoing and intensified campaign to disrupt the supply chain of illegal drugs and prosecute those involved, from street-level pushers to importers and den operators.
