PDEA destroys P6.4 billion shabu shipment

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) yesterday destroyed over P10.4 billion worth of illegal drugs, including the controversial P6.4-B shabu shipment, in a ceremony yesterday.

The shipment of 604 kilos of shabu comprised most of the 710 kilos of crystalline shabu (worth P3.5 billion) and P6.3 billion worth of liquid shabu destroyed through thermal decomposition at the Integrated Waste Management Inc. in Trece Martirez City in Cavite.

The shipment, seized from two warehouses in Valenzuela City last year, slipped past the Bureau of Customs’ express lane.

 Reports said shabu shipment was marked as evidence by a Manila regional trial court hearing the case against the alleged smugglers and has been greenlighted for destruction. 

Other drugs destroyed yesterday in the PDEA’s biggest ceremony so far were 31 kilos of liquid cocaine, valued at P45.9 million, and 202 kilos of marijuana worth P20 million. 

Controlled precursors and essential chemicals amounting to P10.5 million and laboratory equipment worth an estimated P1 million were also destroyed. 

PDEA Director General Aquino said the destruction of drug and non-drug evidence was done publicly to allay any fears that the illicit items are reused, recycled or sold back in the streets.