PDEA destroys P637.8-M worth illegal drugs in Cavite

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MANILA — The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) on Wednesday destroyed a total of P637.8 million worth of dangerous drugs in Cavite.

In a statement, PDEA Director General Undersecretary Arturo G. Cacdac Jr. said the drugs destroyed amounted to a total of 386,080.5 grams (386.08 kilograms) of assorted pieces of evidence composed of methamphetamine hydrochloride (shabu), ephedrine, cocaine, marijuana, ecstasy, valium, oxycodone (highly addictive painkiller), and expired medicines.

Based on the consolidated report of the PDEA Laboratory Service, ephedrine, one of the primary components in the production of shabu, represents 62.6 percent, or P399.16 million, and shabu constitutes 36.5 percent, or P232.74 million, of the total amount of illegal drugs that were destroyed through thermal decomposition.

“These are part of the illegal drugs that were seized during operations conducted by PDEA combined with those turned over by other partner drug law enforcement agencies that are no longer needed as evidence in court,” Cacdac said.

He added the destruction was held at the Integrated Waste Management Inc. (IWMI) of Barangay Aguado in Trece Martirez City, Cavite.

The activity was made in compliance with the requirements of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, and Dangerous Drugs Board Regulation No.1 series of 2002.

“The destruction of seized illegal drugs in accordance with the provisions of the law, will eliminate any misconception that these items are being recycled and peddled back into the streets,” the PDEA chief added.

Key officials of PDEA and other law enforcement agencies, representatives from the Department of Justice, the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB), the Pubic Attorney’s Office, non-government organizations (NGOs) and media witnessed the destruction.

Guest of honor during the activity is Undersecretary Jose Marlowe Pedregosa of the DDB.