Politics · Philippines Bureau
Drug crackdowns boost shabu prices across Philippines, says Interior chief
Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla attributed rising methamphetamine prices to successful government anti-drug operations that have constrained supply. Crystal meth costs have surged significantly compared to rates under the previous administration.
LSN Philippines ·
MANILA — Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said Wednesday that intensified anti-drug operations have reduced the supply of illegal narcotics in the Philippines, driving up prices for controlled substances across the country.
Remulla pointed to crystal methamphetamine, known locally as shabu, as a prime example of the market shift. The street price for the drug has climbed substantially from approximately 3,800 pesos per gram during the previous administration, reflecting the tighter supply created by sustained law enforcement pressure.
The Interior Secretary characterized the price increase as evidence of the government's effectiveness in disrupting drug trafficking networks and limiting availability of illegal substances. Officials have maintained that reducing supply remains a central strategy in the broader anti-drug campaign.
The rising cost of shabu represents a notable change in the Philippine drug market landscape, with prices reflecting both enforcement success and continued demand for the stimulant among users.