Over P205 million worth of dangerous drugs seized in various operations were destroyed by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) on Monday.
PDEA undersecretary Arturo Cacdac Jr. said the illegal drugs were seized from different operations in the cities of Antipolo, Las Piñas, Makati, Mandaluyong, Manila, Parañaque, Pasay, Quezon City, Valenzuela, and Malolos; and in the provinces of Batangas, Nueva Ecija, and Rizal.
The seized drugs were incinerated through thermal decomposition at the Integrated Waste Management Inc. chemical facility in Trece Martires City, Cavite.
Cardac said the process, which breaks down the drugs’ various compounds into single units by application of heat, takes 24 hours to complete, necessitating PDEA agents to be on guard until destruction is finished.
Among the illegal drugs destroyed were 44,506.5 grams of shabu with total estimated value of P178,026,000.00; 4,525.9 grams of cocaine with total estimated value of P27,161,400; 3,554.7 grams of marijuana with total estimated value of P177,735; 2.8 grams of Valium worth P108.50; and 67,100 grams of expired medicines.
Officials of PDEA and other law enforcement agencies and representatives from the Department of Justice, Dangerous Drugs Board, Pubic Attorney’s Office, non-government organizations, and the media witnessed the incineration.
PDEA officials said the illegal drugs were destroyed to assure the public that they won’t be reused, recycled, or sold back in the streets.
