Manila, April 9 -- The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) has confiscated PHP59.14 million worth of illegal drugs in operations from March 28 to April 4.

In a statement on Wednesday, the PDEA said 45 operations resulted in the arrest of 53 individuals and the seizure of 3.6 kg. of suspected shabu, 5.7 kg. of dried marijuana leaves, 11.3 grams of kush (high-grade marijuana), and 136,000 pieces of marijuana plants during the period.

The anti-narcotics body attributed the large volume of seized marijuana plants to the successful eradication operations in identified cultivation areas while the presence of kush -- a potent and more expensive cannabis variant -- signals a growing trend in the local drug scene toward synthetic and premi...