PDEA destroys P21-M drug-making chemicals

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) yesterday destroyed some P21 million worth of chemicals and laboratory equipment used to manufacture illegal drugs.

PDEA director general Undersecretary Jose Gutierrez Jr., said 23,209.40 liters of liquid chemicals (toluene, methyl ethyl ketone and hydrochloric acid) and 6,274 kilograms of solid chemicals (iodine, activated carbon, sodium hydroxide, and red phosphorus) were destroyed through treatment method. 

The destruction was done at the Green Planet Management Inc., a destruction and treatment facility in Punturin, Valenzuela City.

“Hydrochloric acid and other acidic chemicals are treated with water and then neutralized with sodium hydroxide and the end product will be water and sodium chloride,” Gutierrez said in a statement.

“The other chemicals are treated with sludge, like oil waste, which are placed in a mixer, then mixed in compounds to make hollow-blocks,” he said.

The activity was in compliance with the requirements of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 and Dangerous Drugs Board Regulation No.1 on the custody and disposition of seized dangerous drugs, chemicals and laboratory equipment. 

“The public can rest assured that PDEA is taking all diligent measures to ensure that dangerous drugs and chemicals confiscated in all drug law enforcement operations are properly accounted for and destroyed in accordance with the law,” Gutierrez said.

He said PDEA had facilitated four destruction ceremonies this year – two for dangerous drugs on July 22 and Nov. 15, and two for precursors and chemicals on Jan. 14 and Dec. 15.

Destroyed dangerous drugs and chemicals   amounted to P591million.