Philippine Drug Agency destroys millions illegal drugs

By Roy Ramos ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (AA) – More than a $100 million of illegal drugs were destroyed by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in Northern Philippines Cavite Province on Friday.

This included PHP5 billion ($97.58 million) worth of methamphetamine hydrochloride or locally known as shabu and PHP1 billion ($19.52 million) worth of other types of drugs.

Almost 1,000 kilograms of shabu along with other types of dangerous drugs including cocaine, ketamine, marijuana, benzphetamine HCl, N-benzylpiperazine, zolpidem, ephedrine, propanolol, sodium carbonate, valium, nitrazepam, nalbuphine, clonazepam, alprazolam, midazolam, methylphenidate, MDMA, codeine, pseudoephedrine, and expired medicines; and liquid shabu weighing 1,079.159 liters went through verification with the National Bureau of Investigation, Department of Trade and Industry, and the Department of Justice prior to disposal according to the drug agency. Guarded by PDEA’s security personnel in coordination with the Philippine police, the substances underwent thermal decomposition at the waste treatment facility of the Integrated Waste Management Incorporated at the village of Aguado in Trece Martirez City, said a report by Manila Bulletin. Thermal decomposition is the process by which various compounds are broken down into single units by the application of heat wherein reconstruction of the substances is impossible. Pushing for transparency, PDEA Chief Aaron Aquino said that the disposal was made known to the public and the media as it shows that the agency is fulfilling its duty. “We want the public to witness the destruction of dangerous drugs seized by drug enforcement officers to allay public apprehensions that these illegal drugs and illicit substances are being reused, recycled or sold back in the streets,” PDEA Director General Aaron N. Aquino said. The agency did not however divulge when this latest batch of dangerous drugs were seized.