By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOCPPO) released data yesterday showing they have seized a total of P27,400,701 in illegal drugs in 2020.

NOCPPO spokesperson Police Lt. Abegael Donasco said they have conducted a total of 656 drug operations in the province last year which resulted in the arrest of 867 individuals.

However, it was noted in the data that the NOCPPO drug confiscations in 2020 were slightly lower compared to the P28,850,046 worth of illegal drugs they seized in 2019. Data for the year 2019 also showed that the provincial police office had conducted 719 anti-drug operations, although the number of arrested persons remained at 867.

According to Donasco, the reason behind the slight drop was due to the coronavirus disease 2019, or COVID-19, pandemic.

Due to the travel restrictions that were put in place, as well as the strict border protocols, Donasco pointed out drug couriers were having a hard time trying to smuggle their illicit substance in the province./DGB, WDJ