P84.04M worth of Dangerous Drugs destroyed in Inter-Region destruction ceremony

Camp Major Bado Dangwa, La Trinidad, Benguet – (April 23, 2021) – More than 84 million worth of various dangerous drugs seized by police and PDEA operatives of Cordillera and Region 1, were destroyed in a ceremonial destruction at Holcim Philippines, Inc compounds in Bacnotan, La Union on April 22, 2021.

Based on data released by the PDEA-CAR, destroyed through thermal destruction procedure were seized drug evidence amounting to Php 84,047,913.39. These include 979.8303 grams of Methamphetamine more commonly known as shabu; 4.6550 ml of liquid shabu; 639,695.9333 grams of Marijuana; 2016.4 ml of marijuana oil; 467.7342 grams of marijuana seeds; 673 pieces of Marijuana plants and 24 pcs stalks.

These are dangerous drugs seized during anti-illegal drug operations of police and PDEA units, all ordered by the courts for destruction. Majority of which are from terminated cases or cases already decided by courts.

The destruction ceremony is aligned with the guidelines set on the custody and disposition of seized dangerous drugs as required by RA 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 and Dangerous Drugs Board Regulation No.1 s. 2002. Gracing this event as the Guest of Honor and Speaker is ASEC. GREGORIO R. PIMENTEL, Deputy Director General for Operations of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and witnessed by some public officials from both regions.

Thermal decomposition is a process by which compounds are broken down into single units by application of heat, when applied to dangerous drugs, this procedure will cause the drugs to lose their chemical value, rendering it impossible for recycling or reconstruction. 

To recall, a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was signed between PDEA and Holcim Philippines – Bacnotan allowing the usage of the latter’s facility for thermal destruction of drug evidence, in which, a similar ceremony was held on December last year. (PROCOR RPIO)