THE Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)-Western Visayas continuously monitors the possible entry of the latest party drugs like “zombie drugs” in Western Visayas in time for the Dinagyang Festival in Iloilo City this week.
David Garcia, spokesperson of PDEA-Western Visayas, told VoxPop Bacolod on Friday there has been no reported existence of “zombie drugs” in the region, but they do not discount the possibility of its entry in the party scene, with Iloilo’s festivity.
The illegal drug, known as flakka or gravel in the United States and Mexico, has a chemical similar to a key ingredient in bath salts that could be more dangerous than stimulants like cocaine. An overdose of the “zombie drug” can lead to violent behavior, hyperthermia, superhuman strength, and death.
Garcia said they are aware about the “zombie drugs,” but it is usually common in Western countries.
Two days ago, PDEA-Central Visayas started monitoring entertainment establishments to prevent party drugs from circulating in Central Visayas, after receiving report that new dangerous drugs have entered the country.
Cebu City is also celebrating the Sinulog Festival until this weekend.
Last week, two businessmen were caught by operatives of Police Regional Office-Central Visayas for allegedly selling ecstasy tablets inside a hotel in Mandaue City.
On January 15, a resident of Bacolod was arrested in Iloilo after police seized from him suspected “shabu” (methamphetamine hydrochloride).
Garcia said they are intensifying security measures in all entry points for possible circulation of ecstasy and liquid ecstasy in Iloilo as well as the proliferation of illegal drugs.
