Agency tightens monitoring ahead of the holiday season

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in the Western Visayas denied reports shabu prices in the region have been on the decline. Such a downturn in prices would suggest a growing supply of the illicit substance.
In a statement issued by the law enforcement agency on its official social media page, as of December 11, the overall price of shabu still runs at P8,500 to P9,000 per gram. However, in Negros Occidental and Bacolod City, prices are estimated around P5,000 to P6,000 per gram.
PDEA also denied reports some drug dealers are offering a “buy one, take one” promotion on shabu due to the upcoming holiday season.
The agency stated, the price of drugs remains high and may be attributed to the scarcity of supply due to continuous operations being conducted.
“As far as operating units are concerned, we would like to reiterate that the issue on the alleged price drop of illegal drugs in our [area of operation] is but a mere speculation—unverified and unvalidated,” the PDEA added.
Meanwhile, in preparation for the upcoming holiday season, which begins on Sunday, the PDEA said the agency, along with its other law enforcement partners, have tightened security operations at the region’s bus terminals, ports, airports, malls, and other areas.
In addition, the agency has deployed K9 units and drug enforcement agents, who will conduct random inspections./DGB, WDJ