Philippines arrests over 57,000 people in anti-drug operations in 2024

MANILA, Dec. 22 (Xinhua) -- The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Sunday said it has arrested 57,129 people and seized illicit drugs worth 20.7 billion pesos (roughly 352 million U.S. dollars) on the black market during its anti-drug operations conducted from Jan. 1 to Dec. 15 this year.

PNP Chief General Rommel Francisco Marbil said in a statement that 46,821 anti-drug operations were conducted by various PNP units nationwide.

Marbil said the seized illegal drugs included methamphetamine hydrochloride (locally known as shabu), marijuana, ecstasy, cocaine, ketamine, and kush, "reflecting the diverse range of narcotics targeted by the PNP's comprehensive anti-illegal drugs operation."

The PNP's anti-drug campaign "has proven that we can dismantle drug syndicates without unnecessary loss of life," Marbil said. ■