Warning from PDEA: Public Urged to Avoid Cannabis Oil E-cigarettes

Regulations by 2FIRSTS.ai
Apr.24.2024
Warning from PDEA: Public Urged to Avoid Cannabis Oil E-cigarettes
PDEA warns against illegal e-cigarette pods containing cannabis oil in the Philippines, crackdown underway on illegal drug trade.

According to a report from Gov.ph on April 22, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) has warned the public against using e-cigarettes containing cannabis oil.

 

The director of the Soksalgen region, Aileen Lovitos, emphasized that the use of cannabis oil e-cigarette products violates Articles 5 (illegal sale of dangerous drugs) and 11 (possession of dangerous drugs) of Republic Act No. 9165, also known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. Anyone found selling or possessing such products will face corresponding legal consequences.

 

Recently, the department seized 51 e-cigarette pods containing suspicious marijuana oil from three suspects in a crackdown operation. The estimated value of the illegal products seized was as high as 178,500 Philippine pesos ($3,101.39), with each e-cigarette pod selling for up to 3,500 Philippine pesos ($60.81).

 

Currently, the bureau is collaborating with various law enforcement agencies and national government departments to monitor physical and online e-cigarette stores. According to Lovitos, illegal traders often conduct transactions through the "kaliwaan" scheme or online platforms, using private vehicles, packages, drug dens, cheap motels or hotels for delivery, and sell illegal drugs online using social media or courier services.

 

According to a report by the agency, in the first quarter of this year, Philippine law enforcement agencies seized illegal drugs worth approximately 2.5 million Philippine pesos ($43,436.85 USD). From January to March, a total of 375.6643 grams of methamphetamine and 11.884 grams of dried marijuana leaves were confiscated in 25 anti-drug operations, resulting in the successful apprehension of 30 individuals involved in drug-related activities.

 

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