BAGUIO CITY – Officials of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the Police Regional Office-Cordillera (PROC) led the destruction of P60-million worth of confiscated illegal drugs at the Holcim Philippines compound in Bacnotan, La Union on Friday, December 4.
PROC Deputy Regional Information Officer Capt. Marnie Abellanida said
a total of 417,330.59 grams of illegal drugs with an estimated amount of P60.086 million was destroyed through thermal decomposition.
The destruction of the narcotics was witnessed by PROC Director Brig. Gen. R’win Pagkalinawan
Abellanida said burned drugs contraband consisted of 1,498.075 grams of shabu, 37.4 milliliters of liquid methamphetamine, 415,832.5102 grams of marijuana, and 52 pieces marijuana plants.
The destruction of the illegal drugs was done in compliance with the directive of President Duterte to immediately destroy seized contraband to avoid recycling by unscrupulous individuals, and also in compliance with the guidelines set on the custody and disposition of seized dangerous drugs required in Section 21, Article II of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, and Dangerous Drugs Board Regulation No. 1, Series of 2002.
The confiscated illegal pieces of drug evidence came as a result of the various anti-illegal drug operations of PROC and other law enforcement units.
The pieces of evidence were derived from a total of 244 cases, in which 45 individuals were convicted, 118 pleaded guilty, 68 cases acquitted while six were still on trial.
These cases were filed in the Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branches 8, 9, 10 and 63 of La Trinidad, Benguet; RTC Branches 3, 5, 61 of Baguio City; RTC Branch 14 of Lagawe, Ifugao; RTC Branch 25 of Tabuk, Kalinga; RTC Branch 64 of Buguias, Benguet; and RTC Mt Province.
Pagkalinawan said the destruction of the huge amount of illegal drugs was a symbol of transparency, accountability, and commitment.
“With the destruction of these illegal drugs, I hope this will send a message of reassurance to our community, that we in the government are banded together to make you safe from illegal drugs,” he said.