MANILA, Philippines — Various illegal drugs worth P7.2 billion seized by anti-narcotics agents in several operations were destroyed yesterday.
Shabu weighing 1,060,824.2884 grams were among those destroyed through thermal decomposition. Cocaine, marijuana, ketamine and Ecstasy as well as chemicals used to manufacture shabu were also destroyed.
Officials of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) led the ceremonial destruction of the illegal drugs at the Integrated Waste Management Inc. in Barangay Aguado in Trece Martires, Cavite.
PDEA said the disposal of the illegal drugs is in compliance with the guidelines set in the custody and disposition of seized dangerous drugs under Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.
Representatives from the Department of Justice, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Philippine National Police, non-government organizations and local officials of Barangay Aguado witnessed the destruction.
PDEA director general Moro Virgilio Lazo stressed the importance of unity of law enforcement agencies and the community in eradicating illegal drugs.
“Dapat lang na tayo ay magsama-sama at magtulungan sa kampanyang ito para marating natin ang aming layunin na magkaroon ng tahimik at ligtas na mga komunidad sa buong Pilipinas,” he said.
Meanwhile, shabu worth P34,000 was seized from a construction worker in Lipa, Batangas on Monday.
Batangas police director Col. Pedro Soliba identified the suspect as Rocky Adaya, 31, who was arrested at his residence in Barangay Sabang at around 4:15 p.m.
Soliba said the suspect is being held on charges of violating the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act and illegal possession of firearms after a .38-caliber revolver was found in his possession.