PDEA torches P640M drugs, marijuana

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency on Wednesday destroyed more than P640-million worth of illegal drugs and marijuana plants in Cavite province.

The destruction of P462-million worth of dangerous drugs, poppy seeds and expired medicines was held at the  Integrated Waste Management Inc., Barangay Aguado, Trece Martirez City, Cavite.

It was witnessed by several government officials, including   Sen. Grace Poe, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs.

PDEA director general Arturo Cacdac Jr. said the activity was held to comply with the requirements of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, and the Dangerous Drugs Board Regulation No.1 series of 2002 governing the custody and disposition of seized dangerous drugs, chemicals and laboratory equipment.

Destroyed were a total of 240, 694.10 grams of assorted pieces of drug evidence composed of methamphetamine hydrochloride, or shabu, ketamine, ephedrine, cocaine, marijuana, ecstasy, zolpidem, flunitrazepam, poppy seeds and expired medicines; and 2,250 milliliters of liquid cocaine.

“Based on the consolidated report of the PDEA Laboratory Service, shabu represents 81.3 percent, or P523.90M, of the total amount of illegal drugs destroyed through thermal decomposition,” Cacdac said.

Senator Poe was the guest of honor and speaker during the ceremony.

Representatives from the Department of Justice, Department of the Interior and Local Government, non-government organizations and media partners also witnessed the destruction.