PDEA: Marijuana, ecstasy enjoy brisk sales over COVID-19 quarantine

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency saw an increase on the sale of ecstasy drugs and marijuana for home use after parties had been prohibited amid the COVID-19 pandemic, its director general Wilkins Villanueva said Tuesday.

“There is a trend right now na, wala na kasing party ngayon, Mr. Chair eh. So, talagang bahay-bahay sila and ang lakas ngayon ng... saleable ngayon talaga ‘yung kush at ecstasy,” Villanueva said during the Senate deliberations of PDEA’s P2.7 billion proposed budget for 2021.

“Dahil wala nang party, sa bahay-bahay na lang talaga sila. Doon na lang sila nagpa-party,” he added.

Among PDEA’s major drug haul was the seizure of over 3,900 ecstasy tablets worth P6.6 million in Parañaque City last August 8, Villanueva said.

Another 9,471 tablets of ecstasy worth over P16 million were also seized in Lubao, Pampanga on the same day, leading to the arrest of five suspects.

He added that on August 9, 18 kilos of marijuana worth over P126 million were confiscated in Quezon City. Three suspects, including two Chinese nationals, were arrested.

Two other drug suspects were nabbed in Clark, Pampanga on the same day after 113 kilos of marijuana valued at P13 million were seized by authorities.

Villanueva urged the public to report issues on drug problems in their barangays through the “Isumbong Mo Kay Wilkins” Facebook page and hotlines at 0995-354-7020 (Globe) or 0931-027-8212 (Smart/Sun).

Around 70 reports through the said platform have resulted to confiscation of illegal drugs, he said. -NB, GMA News