THE Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency yesterday destroyed P7.27 billion worth of illegal drugs, controlled precursors and essential chemicals — the first under the administration of President Marcos Jr.
PDEA Director General Moro Virgilio Lazo led the incineration at a facility of the Integrated Waste Management Inc. in Barangay Aguado, Trece Martires City, Cavite.
PDEA said 1,060 kilos of shabu worth P7.21 billion were destroyed, along with 317 kilos of marijuana, 230 grams of cocaine, 9.16 kilos of ecstasy, and 1.03 kilos of ketamine, among others.
“This is the government’s response to dispel the wrong notion that these illegal drugs are being recycled back to the streets,” said Lazo.
Last December 6, PDEA South District Office director Enrique Lucero, two PDEA agents and Lucero’s driver were arrested by PNP operatives while selling shabu to a poseur buyer inside their office in Taguig City.
“Rest assured that your PDEA is seriously strategizing approaches resolving the illegal drug problem as we all envision and strive for a drug-free Philippines in the future,” Lazo said.
“The pieces of drug evidence were destroyed through thermal decomposition or thermolysis that involves breaking down chemical compounds with the use of tremendous heat. At 1,000 degrees centigrade, all dangerous drugs are totally decomposed or broken down,” PDEA said in a statement.
Lazo said the destruction of the illegal drugs was in compliance with Section 21 of Republic Act 9165, otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, which he said calls for the destruction of seized illegal drugs upon the issuance of a court order.
“This is the first time (during the time of President Marcos Jr.) and also during the new leadership of the new director general,” said PDEA spokesman Derrick Carreon, referring to Lazo who was named PDEA chief last October.
The last time PDEA destroyed illegal drugs was last June 2 when it burned P14.29 billion worth of shabu and other illegal drugs. The ceremony was graced by Vice President-elect Sara Duterte.
Yesterday’s event was witnessed by representatives from the Department of Interior, PNP, local government units, other law enforcement agencies, and non-government organizations.
Police seize d₱340,000 worth of suspected dangerous drugs and arrested four persons in a buy-bust operation in Antipolo City last Monday night.
Col. Dominic Baccay, Rizal PNP provincial director, identified the four as Merly R. Viray, 42; Tanny S. Bagundang, 44; Andreli B. Viray, 18; and Manuela R. Bagundang, 54.
Seized from them were 11 sachets containing more or less 50 grams of suspected shabu. — With Christian Oineza
