322 barangays still drug-affected
LINGAYEN– Of the more than 1,300 barangays of Pangasinan, at least least 322 are considered by the Pangasinan Provincial Police Office (PPPO) as drug affected.
This was bared by P/Supt. Benjamin Ariola, chief of the Provincial Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Group (PAIDSOTG) during a briefing last week on updates on the anti-illegal drugs campaign in the province presided over by Gov. Amado T. Espino Jr. and Police Provincial Director Officer-in-charge Rollie Saltat.
Of the 322 drug affected barangays, four are classified under Category 1, 230 under Category 2 and 88 under Category 3.
Still, only the municipality of Sto. Tomas, hometown of Dangerous Drugs Board (SSB) Secretary Antonio Villar Jr., remains certified as drug-free municipality.
Ariola reported the arrests of 653 drug pushers/users in 504 operations conducted by the police from January to August 17, 2015.
In these operations, 1,038.27 grams of shabu with street value of P6.7 million; and 838.59 grams of marijuana with estimated value of P41,929.50 were seized.
These operations were conducted through apprehension/police response, 56; buy bust, 323; checkpoint, 14; Oplan Sita, 46; Warrant of Arrest, 13;and Search Warrant, 57.
Eight drug personalities were neutralized and two police officers and one councilman were arrested for their involvement in illegal drugs.
In his report, Ariola confirmed that there is no drug cultivation, manufacturing and smuggling in Pangasinan.
The supply of shabu circulating in the province are reportedly coming from the National Capital Region (NCR), Cavite and Pampanga and have been entering through four entry points, namely Rosales, Mangatarem, Bayambang and Infanta.
Police intelligence showed the supply entering Rosales are moved to Urdaneta initially then distributed to Villasis, Asingan, Binalonan and Pozorrubio while those brought to Bayambang are sent to Bayambang, San Carlos, Dagupan and Calasiao.
The supply in Alaminos and Bani originates from Infanta.
During the evaluation, the chiefs of police where their towns and cities scored the highest drug busts reported their respective accomplishments.
Meanwhile, Ariola said drug syndicates operating in Pangasinan continue to be more creative in their operations.
Payments are being made through legitimate money-sender outlets, bank-to-bank transactions through the Automated Teller Machine (ATM) and supplies are delivered on consignment basis.
Stuff toys are being used to conceal the deliveries while more minors and women with children are tapped as couriers while “vendors” selling bread or pandesal are used as cover.
Shabu is also stuffed in candy wrappers and used-crowns of bottles. (Leonardo Micua)
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