(Photo courtesy of PDEA)
MANILA – The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) on Thursday destroyed more than 720 kilograms of dangerous drugs, controlled precursors and essential chemicals (CPECs) worth PHP4.1 billion at the Integrated Waste Management, Inc. (IWMI) facility in Trece Martires City, Cavite.
According to PDEA, the destroyed drug stockpile weighing a total of 726,378.51 grams were seized from various anti-drug operations.
“The pieces of drug evidence were destroyed through thermal decomposition or thermolysis which involves breaking down chemical compounds with the use of tremendous heat. At 1,000 degrees centigrade, all dangerous drugs are totally decomposed or broken down,’’ PDEA said in a statement.
“The destruction of the dangerous drugs is in compliance with the guidelines set on the custody and disposition of seized dangerous drugs under Section 21, Article II of Republic Act 9165 or The Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, and Dangerous Drugs Board Regulation No. 1, Series of 2002,’’ it added.
Based on the consolidated report of the PDEA Laboratory Service, the quantity of the destroyed pieces of drug evidence and their estimated value include 601,447 grams of methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu worth PHP4,089,840,275; 110,694 grams of marijuana worth PHP13,283,295; 6.28 grams of cocaine worth PHP33,284; 12,974 grams of MDMA or Ecstasy worth PH51,534,890; 32.52 grams of Meth+Ephedrine worth PHP111,218; and CPECs such as diazepam, nitrazepam, ketamine, liquid marijuana, among others.
Representatives from the Department of Justice, Department of the Interior and Local Government, local officials of Barangay Aguado, Trece Martires City, representatives from the Philippine National Police and other law enforcement agencies, non-government organizations and media partners together with key PDEA officials witnessed the said activity. (PNA)
