Authorities have seized P23.62 billion worth of narcotics across the country since the start of the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency said on Monday.

The latest PDEA data also showed 61,269 were arrested, including 4,174 high-value targets, during 44,338 anti-illegal drugs operations from 1 July 2022 to September 30 this year.

It said a total of P23.62 billion worth of illegal drugs which includes over 3,000 kilograms of methamphetamine hydrochloride locally known as shabu, 25.78 kilograms of cocaine, 43,940 pieces of ecstasy, and 2,739.93 kilograms of marijuana were apprehended.

Authorities likewise dismantled 683 drug dens and one clandestine shabu laboratory during the same period.

At least 27,748 out of 42,046 barangays (villages) have been declared drug-cleared as of September 30 while 7,785 are still drug-affected.

The barangays with drug-cleared status were issued certifications by members of the oversight committee on the barangay drug-clearing program.

In a related development,  Quezon City Police District Director Brg. Gen. Redrico Maranan on Monday said that 817 drug suspects and confiscated P41,124,151.60 worth of illegal drugs in a series of buy-bust operations conducted for the third quarter of this year in the city

Maranan also said that a total of 458 anti-drug operations were conducted by the different police stations and units of QCPD which resulted in the confiscation of 5,699.72 grams of shabu, 18,442.13 grams of marijuana, and 158 grams of Kush or high-grade marijuana.

On top of these were the operations conducted by the Novaliches Police Station 4 under Lt. Col. Jerry Castillo that led to the arrest of 74 drug personalities and the confiscation of P9,363,399.60 worth of illegal drugs followed by the District Drug Enforcement Unit under officer-in-charge Maj. Wennie Ann Cale who apprehended 29 drug peddlers and confiscated PHP8,851,200.00 worth of shabu and marijuana.

Likewise, the Kamuning PS 10 under Lt. Col. Robert Amoranto confiscated P4,017,304.00 and arrested 78 drug suspects while the Talipapa PS 3 under Lt. Col. Morgan Aguilar nabbed 53 drug suspects and seized P3,962,680 worth of illegal drugs.

Meanwhile, 55 drug peddlers were also arrested and P3,628,304 worth of illegal drugs and confiscated by the operatives of the Batasan  PS 6 under Lt. Col. Paterno Domondon Jr.