PDEA destroys P12.9M worth of drug chemicals

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency on Thursday destroyed almost P13-million worth of chemical and laboratory equipment used in manufacturing illegal drugs, particularly methamphetamine hydrochloride, or shabu.

PDEA director general Arturo Cacdac Jr. said the  chemicals and lab equipment were destroyed through chemical treatment at the Green Planet Management Inc., (GPMI) located in Valenzuela city.

Among the  387.67 liters of liquid chemicals destroyed  were toluene, hydrochloric acid, ethyl alcohol, chloroform, methyl ethyl ketone and acetone. Also destroyed were 6,037.65 kilograms of solid chemicals composed of red phosphorus, sodium acetate, barium sulfate, sodium hydroxide and carbon; and assorted laboratory equipment, with an estimated cost of about of P12.92 million.

"These are part of the pieces of drug evidence seized from operations conducted by PDEA combined with those turned over by other partner drug law enforcement agencies," Cacdac said.

The activity was made in compliance with the requirements of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, and the Dangerous Drugs Board Regulation No.1, governing the custody and disposition of seized dangerous drugs, chemicals and laboratory equipment.

Supreme Court administrator, Justice Jose Midas Marquez, was present during the activity.

Also present to witness the destruction were
representatives from the Department of Justice, Department of Interior and Local Government and non-government organizations. - Dennis Carcamo