Around P4.5 billion worth of dangerous drugs seized from various nationwide operations were torched on Tuesday, March 24, at the Integrated Waste Management Inc. (IWMI) inTrece Martires City, Cavite, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) stated.
Through thermal decomposition or thermolysis, a total of 1,136.5521 kilograms of solid illegal drugs and 657.1300 milliliters of liquid illegal drugs were destroyed.
“Among those destroyed were 555.2393 kilograms of methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu; 442.9399 kilograms of marijuana; 1.6651 kilograms of ecstasy; 117.3860 kilograms of cocaine; 15.8149 kilograms of ephedrine and 0.5070 kilogram of ketamine,’’ the PDEA said.
The PDEA noted that those also burned include liquid substances such as amphetamine, liquid meth, marijuana, toluene and assorted surrendered expired medicines.
These dangerous drugs were seized from various anti-drug operations conducted by PDEA, together with other law enforcement agencies, as well as those turned over following court orders for destruction, including those turned over by authorities that were recently ordered by the court to be destroyed, according to PDEA Director General Isagani Nerez.
He said the disposal of the dangerous drugs comes after the successful prosecution and resolution of the cases in which these substances were presented as evidence.
Among the dangerous drugs destroyed were over 43,000 grams of marijuana (kush), and more than 102,000 grams of cocaine, which were found floating along the shorelines of coastal areas in Palawan between late last year and early this year.
Likewise, Nerez also commended the Regional Trial Courts (RTCs) for their prompt action in solving drug cases, which enabled the timely destruction of the evidence and partner law enforcement agencies and communities for their unwavering support to the national anti-drug campaign.