Philippines Drug War Update: Officials Seize Record $120 Million Worth Of Meth In Anti-Drug Drives

Philippine authorities said Tuesday they seized nearly 6 billion pesos ($120 million) worth of methamphetamines in a series of anti-narcotics drives in December, the biggest monthly drug haul in the country’s history.

The justice ministry added the operations led to the arrest of 10 suspects, including three Chinese nationals. The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), which led the operations, seized drums containing chemicals used to produce methamphetamines, called “shabu” locally, in Manila on Monday.

Authorities also seized 560 kilograms (1,200 pounds) of suspected methamphetamines on Friday, worth an estimated $67 million.

“It is not only the biggest haul this year, but the biggest so far in history,” Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre reportedly said, adding that officials seized a total of 890 kilograms of methamphetamine in raids this month.

NBI officials said the latest raid occurred at an apartment rented by a Chinese national who wasn’t present when the operation took place.

The latest haul may help President Rodrigo Duterte’s campaign against drugs. The 70-year-old leader has been accused of human rights violations in his brutal anti-drug campaign which has led to the deaths of over 6,000 people, including teenagers and an anti-drug activist.

His controversial anti-drug drive has been criticized by several world leaders, including President Barack Obama, and international organizations like the United Nations. The campaign was put in place to crack down on rampant drug use in the country.

According to Duterte, there are an estimated three to four million drug addicts in the Philippines. However, Filipino newspaper the Rappler reported there were an estimated 1.8 million current drug users in the country and at least 4.8 million people who admitted they used an illegal drug at some point in their lives.

Local media reports put the number of people killed in relation to the anti-drug drive at 6,095 as of Dec. 14, 2016, including 3,993 extrajudicial killings, since Duterte came to power about six months ago.