P5.96 billion seized illegal drugs destroyed

MANILA, Philippines — Illegal drugs seized in law enforcement operations valued at P5.96 billion were destroyed in Trece Martires City in Cavite yesterday.

Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) director general Virgilio Lazo led the disposal of the dangerous substances at the Integrated Waste Management Inc. in Barangay Aguado.

Among those destroyed through thermal decomposition or thermolysis were 274 kilos of methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu that were seized at the Manila International Container Port on Oct. 6.

A total of 471,478.0639 grams of shabu and 312,993.9424 grams of marijuana were destroyed.

Also destroyed were 208 kilos of dimethyl sulfone, a chemical used as a shabu extender, which were seized by agents of the National Bureau of Investigation in Mabalacat, Pampanga on Aug. 25.

PDEA said the illegal drugs were destroyed as these are no longer needed as evidence in court after the cases had been resolved.

In March, PDEA led the ceremonial destruction of 3.7 tons of illegal drugs worth P19.9 billion at the same facility.

Meanwhile, “high-value“ suspect Dioscoro Gatoteo Jr. was arrested in Hinigaran, Negros Occidental on Thursday for alleged possession of 64 grams of shabu valued at P442,000.

Operatives of the police Drug Enforcement Group conducted a sting in Barangay Miranda, PDEG director Col. Dionisio Bartolome Jr. said.