Cebu is still the drug market, transshipment point of illegal drugs

CEBU CITY – Cebu is still the drug market route and transshipment point of illegal drugs from and to other parts of the country, according to Lei Alcantara, Information Officer II of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)-Region 7, in her presentation at the Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas, March 19 at the Philippine Information Agency (PIA-7).

Alcantara bared that PDEA’s continuous anti-illegal drug campaign in Central Visayas has resulted in the arrests of 1,378 individuals and the seizure of over 50 kilos of shabu valued at over P345M based on the agency’s coordinated operations conducted from January to March 11, 2025.

“The campaign also targets demand reduction through education and awareness because Region 7 is a significant market and transshipment point for drugs, with new routes emerging. The PDEA collaborates with various law enforcement agencies and international partners to combat drug trafficking and abuse in the country,” Alcantara said.

PDEA-7 with other law enforcement agencies, such as the Philippine National Police (PNP), are authorized to conduct anti-illegal drug operations with proper coordination with the issuance of coordination numbers to establish the legitimacy of operations and the critical protocols in place.

Alcantara clarifies that all campaigns are primarily focused on law enforcement efforts against illegal drugs. The law enforcement team monitors reported cultivation sites of marijuana in the mountain areas in Cebu.

Part of law enforcement is to regulate companies handling chemicals that are used in the manufacture of illegal drugs and continue to maintain international cooperation and partnerships to address the drug problem in Central Visayas.

Anti-Drug Campaign Updates, challenges

Alcantara shared that the socio-economic situation in the region, particularly in urban areas, contributes to drug use.  Successful operations, including a recent seizure of 825 kilos of shabu was through canine inspections involving interagency efforts.

“In 2022, we confiscated 191 kilos of shabu, 154 kilos in 2023 and over 221 kilos in 2024, Cebu being the region's role as a drug market and transshipment point. Aside from law enforcement operations, PDEA with the local government units sustained the Barangay Drug Clearing Program (BDCP),” Alcantara said.

As of March 14, 2025, the team has declared 1,942 drug-cleared and 116 drug-free barangays in Central Visayas. The BDCP emphasizes rehabilitation and demand reduction through community education, interagency refresher training for the canine units of the PNP, PCG and PDEA.

Alcantara noted that the presence of canine units makes every operation a success.  This is quite a challenge and hopes that every town or city seaports, terminals and airports must have canine units for illegal drug inspection and monitoring.

“Some of the major challenges in the campaign against illegal drugs include the evolving nature of drugs and drug syndicates and the need for continuous monitoring and solid international cooperation,” Alcantara noted.

There is also a dire need for continuous research and monitoring to stay ahead of emerging threats; continuous improvement and adaptation in law enforcement strategies and highlighted the role of compliance services in regulating the handling and use of chemicals used in the manufacture of illegal drugs, Alcantara said. (Photos: MBCNewman)