PDEA destroys P10.6-M worth of shabu chemicals, equipment

Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency. (PNA photo)

MANILA — The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) on Thursday destroyed a total of PHP10.67 million worth of controlled precursors and essential chemicals (CPECs), together with laboratory equipment intended for the production of methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu.

PDEA Director General Aaron Aquino said destroyed through chemical treatment were 228 liters of liquid chemicals composed of xylene chemicals, hydrochloric acid, chloroform, pytridine, benzaldehyde and ethanol worth PHP204,082.

Also destroyed were 3,814,070 grams of solid chemicals composed of caustic soda/sodium hydroxide, palladium, iodine, calcium chloride, red phosphorous, sodium acetate, barium sulfate, sodium sulfate, copper (II) sulfate pentahydrate and caffeine worth PHP9,446,436.

Assorted laboratory equipment with an estimated value of PHP1,020,744 that were confiscated during anti-drug operations were smashed to prevent them from being used again.

The destruction activity was held at the Green Planet Management, Incorporated (GPMI) in Barangay Punturin, Valenzuela City, a Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) accredited treatment facility.

“PDEA continues to regularly destroy illegal drugs, CPECs and laboratory equipment right before the public, thus allaying any misconception that these pieces of drug and non-drug evidence are being recycled or peddled back in the streets,” Aquino said.

Atty. Nilo Geonzon, who represented the event’s guest of honor and speaker, Surigao del Norte 2nd District Rep.

Robert Ace Barbers, led the destruction ceremony of the chemicals and non-drug evidence recently ordered by the court to be destroyed.

Key officials of PDEA, representatives from the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB), non-government organizations (NGOs), and barangay officials witnessed the destruction.

The destruction is in compliance with the requirements of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, and Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) Regulation No.1 series of 2002.