P65 million shabu seized in Sulu destroyed

MANILA, Philippines — Shabu seized in various anti-narcotics operations in Sulu with an estimated value of P65 million was destroyed yesterday.

Members of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (PDEA-BARMM) destroyed the illegal drugs using the “rendering inert method,” which is based on protocols set under the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime guidelines for the safe handling and disposal of chemicals from illicit drug manufacturing.

PDEA said the method is intended for use in remote areas, where waste management infrastructure and expert technical support are not available and there is an immediate need to destroy seized illegal drugs.

The seized shabu was mixed with cement and used to make a marker placed at the entrance of the Hall of Justice.

PDEA-BARMM director Gil Cesario Castro said the marker would “serve as a testament to the joint coordination, collaboration and cooperation” of concerned agencies in the seizure and destruction of the illegal drugs.

Castro said the government is ”sending a powerful message of integrity and transparency to the public” with the destruction of the illegal drugs.

Kagawad held for drugs

In Zamboanga Sibugay, joint police and anti-narcotics agents arrested a village councilwoman during a raid in Buug town on Wednesday.

Bena Edris, 38, of Barangay Bulaan, said to be a ”high-value” target, was apprehended when authorities swooped down on a house in Purok 5, PDEA-Zamboanga peninsula police director Maharani Gadaoni-Tosoc said.

Seventeen grams of shabu and drug paraphernalia were reportedly recovered from the suspect.

Edris’ companion Omar Edris, alias Mamang, 37, eluded arrest.

In Angeles City, a Chinese and his Filipino cohort were arrested for alleged possession of shabu and party drugs worth P4.8 million in Barangay Malabanias.

Zhe Huang, 30, and Leslie Acunin, 19, were collared after selling shabu to undercover agents in the parking lot of a hotel, Brig. Gen. Jose Hidalgo Jr., Central Luzon police director, said. — Ric Sapnu