CHEMISTS from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency examine seized illegal drugs that were later destroyed through the cremation facility of Cosmopolitan Funeral Homes in Cebu City on Wednesday morning, Dec. 17. (PDEA-7)
CEBU CITY – More than P468-million worth of seized illegal drugs were destroyed here on Wednesday, Dec. 17.
The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Central Visayas (PDEA-7) led the destruction through the cremation facility of Cosmopolitan Funeral Homes.
The destruction was witnessed by Dangerous Drugs Board Secretary Oscar Valenzuela, PDEA Director General Isagani Nerez, and Police Brig. Gen. Redrico Maranan, chief of the Police Regional Office-Central Visayas.
A total of P1.3 billion seized illegal drugs have been destroyed this year.
The first destruction was held on Feb. 13, where P284.9 million of shabu and marijuana were destroyed. Illegal drugs worth P560 million were also destroyed on June 5.
Valenzuela commended the PDEA-7 for the series of illegal drug destructions, saying it erases suspicions that seized illegal drugs are being recycled.
He said the PDEA remains committed in its campaign against illegal drugs. "Drugs pose a threat to the physical mental and overall wellbeing of Filipinos," said Valenzuela.
The PDEA-7 said destroyed illegal drugs include shabu, marijuana, and expired regulated drugs that are no longer allowed to be sold.
After the destruction, the PDEA-7 distributed cash rewards to four informants under the "Private Eye" program.
The information given by the informants led to successful anti-illegal drug operations.
The amount of cash rewards reached P775,000, said Valenzuela.
One of informants, a certain Loloy, got close to P300,000 for providing information that helped the PDEA-7 seize several kilos of shabu in one of its operations.