P643-M illegal drugs destroyed

MANILA, Philippines - Authorities yesterday destroyed P643 million worth of illegal drugs confiscated in different anti-narcotics operations.

The contraband, which included dangerous drugs, poppy seeds and expired medicine, were destroyed at the Integrated Waste Management Inc. in Trece Martires, Cavite.

Sen. Grace Poe, who chairs the Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs, witnessed the destruction of 240,694.10 grams of shabu, ketamine, ephedrine, cocaine, marijuana, Ecstasy, zolpidem, flunitrazepam, poppy seeds and expired medicine; and 2,250 milliliters of liquid cocaine.

Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Director General Arturo Cacdac Jr. said the illegal drugs were destroyed in compliance with 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.  

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