Go after big fishes in illegal drug trade, Lacson tells 2 gov’t agencies
Senator Panfilo M. Lacson pressed yesterday two government anti-illegal drugs agencies to go after the big fishes in the multi-billionpeso illegal drugs industry since law enforcers are proving themselves capable of going after street peddlers.
Lacson, chairman of the Senate public order and dangerous drugs committee, stressed this during a public hearing for the proposed 2019 appropriations of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB).
The PDEA is asking for P1.97 billion while DDB is seeking P258.3 million, respectively, for their budgets in the coming fiscal year that starts in January.
Lacson cited the need for stricter coordination at the upper levels against the entry of illegal drugs into the country.
“You have to refocus because the police are now capable of going after street peddlers. You have to concentrate on those at the higher levels,” he said.
Lacson, a former Philippine National Police (PNP) Director-General, pointed out that illegal drugs slip past the Bureau of Customs from time to time, and find their way into the hands of drug peddlers, many of whom mix them with candy or deodorizer to maximize their profits.
The PDEA is the specialized agency implementing the government’s efforts against illegal drugs, while the DDB is the policy-making body.
Under the National Expenditure Program, the PDEA is to get P1.979 billion after the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) rejected its request for a budget of P2.58 billion.
Lacson told the PDEA to address issues in its custody of illegal drugs that had been seized and are being kept as evidence in court cases.
He said the weakness in the chain of custody had resulted in technicalities that lead to the dismissal of cases.
The PDEA has at present some P9.7 billion worth of seized illegal drugs in its custody.
“I think you should do something about the excessive quantity of dangerous drugs still in your possession… Medyo mind-boggling ang P9.7 billion worth of dangerous drugs,” Lacson said.