P612-M worth of illegal drugs destroyed

MANILA -- The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) destroyed Monday P612-million worth of dangerous drugs at the Integrated Waste Management Inc. (IWMI), Barangay Aguado, Trece Martirez City, Cavite.

Destroyed were a total of 235,419.91 grams of assorted pieces of drug evidence composed of shabu, marijuana, ephedrine, ecstasy, cocaine, valium, phentermine, pseudoephedrine, opium poppy seeds, expired medicines; 16,618 milliliters of liquid shabu and 315 milliliters of amphetamine.

"Based on the consolidated report of the PDEA Laboratory Service, shabu represents 78.74 percent, or P481.89 million, of the total amount of illegal drugs destroyed through thermal decomposition," said Undersecretary Arturo Cacdac Jr., PDEA director general.

The destruction was witnessed by PDEA key officials and other law enforcement agencies; representatives from the Department of Justice; the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB); the Pubic Attorney's Office; representatives of non-government organizations (NGOs); and barangay officials of Trece Martirez City.

"We want the public to witness the destruction of illegal drugs before they reach the hands of intended consumers. In addition, this is one way of allaying public apprehensions that dangerous drugs seized by authorities are being reused, recycled or sold back in the streets," Cacdac said.

The PDEA chief lauded the efforts of the different branches of Regional Trial Courts (RTCs) for the expeditious prosecution and disposition of drug cases that led to the prompt destruction of these illegal drugs and substances no longer needed as evidence in court.

The destruction of the dangerous drugs is in compliance with the guidelines set on the custody and disposition of seized dangerous drugs required in Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. (SDR/Sunnex)