THE regional office of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) reported that out of the 32 drug groups operating in Region 1, 17 are in Pangasinan.

PDEA Director Jeoffrey Tacio told The PUNCH Friday, that the groups or syndicates are composed of two or more members conspiring with each other in the illegal drug trade. The members are normally residents in the locality listed as hotspot.

Tacio also identified Barangay Camantiles in Urdaneta City and Barangay Bonuan Binloc in Dagupan City still as major drug hotspots in Pangasinan.

He said this intelligence data is based on admission of arrested drug suspects who point to these areas as main sources of their drugs supply in Region 1.

While he concedes that the situation may have improved considerably, he said the notoriety of the two areas remain and still far from being cleared as hotspots.

He said drugs peddled in the region come from the National Capital Region and Region 4-A.

Tacio added that recent monitoring of the drug trade reveals that the price of shabu in the streets has shot up to as high as P12,000 to P14,000 per bulto (five grams) from an average of P6,00 to P8,000.

“I believe this is a good indication that our campaign is gaining grounds,” he said. “Supply has been constricted.”

“It’s either supply has been scarce or there could still be supply, but these could not be brought out because of the intensified campaign, which is still good for us,” he added.

He recalled that in 2010, one gram of shabu then cost P10,000 which was far more expensive than gold.

He said at that time, campaign against illegal drugs was also very good and barangays were closely monitored then.

Tacio said a task group was also created to monitor the long stretch of coastline along the Lingayen Gulf.

This is composed of the Coast Guard, Navy, Bureau of Customs, Maritime and Bantay Dagat organizations, he said.

“We have to intensify our intelligence gathering,” he said.

He said the Philippine National Police (PNP) is expected to report more arrests than the PDEA since the police have stations in all towns and cities.

The PNP stations are going after the street level pushers while the PDEA and others are focused on high-value targets, he said.

He is optimistic the target of President Duterte to curb illegal drugs within three to six months is possible as there are more agencies, including the local government units, now working together to attain this goal. (Tita Roces)

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