PDEA destroys P2.4 billion worth of dangerous drugs

Trese Martirez, Cavite — The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) destroyed at least P2.4 billion worth of assorted dangerous drugs at the Integrated Waste Management Thermal Oxidizer Facility in Barangay Aguado here yesterday.

Undersecretary Anselmo Avenido Jr., PDEA director general, said this is the 15th time the facility has destroyed seized drugs since July 30, 2002.

"This brings to P15.7 billion the total value of dangerous drugs seized by operatives in 3,876 drug cases," Avenido said.

He added that the total illegal drugs destroyed include 422,158.54 grams of shabu, 28,861.63 grams of marijuana worth P5.7 million, and 1,052,999.81 grams of ephedrine valued at P1.5 billion.

Avenido said that 46,460.55 grams of shabu were from the PDEA, 359,697,990 grams from the PNP Crime Laboratory and 16,000 grams from the Anti-Illegal Drugs-Special Operations Task Force (AID-SOTF).

Meanwhile, 28,070 grams of marijuana came from the PDEA and 7,630 grams from the PNP Crime Laboratory. About 35,000 grams of epedrine also came from the PNP Crime Laboratory.

"This is meant to show the public that the government has a built-in process of disposing of confiscated, seized or surrendered dangerous drugs to erase public perception that these drugs are recycled or sold back on the streets," Avelino said. — With Rene Alviar