PDEA destroys P6-B worth of dangerous drugs

FILE: PDEA Director General Aaron Aquino said destroyed by thermal decomposition were a total of 952.69 kilograms of assorted pieces of drug evidence composed of methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu, cocaine, ketamine, marijuana, benzphetamine HCl, N-benzylpiperazine, zolpidem, ephedrine, propranolol, sodium carbonate, valium, nitrazepam, nalbuphine, clonazepam, alprazolam, midazolam, methylphenidate, MDMA, codeine, pseudoephedrine, and expired medicines; and liquid shabu weighing 1,070,159 ml (1,079.159 liters). (Photo: PDEA)

MANILA — The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) on Friday destroyed a total of PHP6-billion worth of dangerous drugs at the Integrated Waste Management Incorporated (IWMI) in Barangay Aguado, Trece Martirez City, Cavite.

PDEA Director General Aaron Aquino said destroyed by thermal decomposition were a total of 952.69 kilograms of assorted pieces of drug evidence composed of methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu, cocaine, ketamine, marijuana, benzphetamine HCl, N-benzylpiperazine, zolpidem, ephedrine, propranolol, sodium carbonate, valium, nitrazepam, nalbuphine, clonazepam, alprazolam, midazolam, methylphenidate, MDMA, codeine, pseudoephedrine, and expired medicines; and liquid shabu weighing 1,070,159 ml (1,079.159 liters).

“We want the public to witness the destruction of dangerous drugs seized by drug enforcement officers to allay public apprehensions that these illegal drugs and illicit substances are being reused, recycled or sold back in the streets,” Aquino said.

Thermal decomposition is the process by which various compounds are broken down into single units by the application of heat wherein reconstruction of the substances is impossible.

Based on the consolidated report of the PDEA Laboratory Service, among those destroyed during the activity were 873,033.14 grams of shabu, with an estimated street value of PHP4,365,166,700; liquid shabu weighing 1,070,159 ml. worth PHP1,605,238,500; 82.73 grams of cocaine worth PHP314,374; 300.25 grams of ketamine worth PHP1,501,250; 9,002.33 grams of marijuana worth PHP135,034; 16,258.26 grams of ephedrine worth PHP650,330; and 896 grams of pseudoephedrine worth PHP309,657.60; among others, and other expired medicines weighing 30,000 grams, with a total estimated value of PHP6,001,826,947.

The destruction of the dangerous drugs is in compliance with the guidelines set on the custody and disposition of seized dangerous drugs required in 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.

PDEA key officials, Barangay Aguado, Trece Martires City, Cavite officials, representatives from the DOJ, Department of the Interior and Local Government, non-government organizations and media partners witnessed the destruction of the dangerous drugs.