PACKS of shabu worth P676 million were destroyed at the thermal facility of Cosmopolitan Funeral Homes in Cebu City on Tuesday, July 28. (PDEA-7)
CEBU CITY – More than P600-million worth of illegal drugs, mostly shabu, seized from various operations in Central Visayas were destroyed on Tuesday, July 28.
In terms of value and quantity, it was the biggest illegal destruction that the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Central Visayas (PDEA-7) conducted since 2017.
The dangerous drugs worth P676,659,213.84 were destroyed through thermal destruction at Cosmopolitan Funeral Homes Inc. here.
The ceremony was witnessed by PDEA Director General Undersecretary Isagani R. Nerez.
“This significant activity is a clear message that these illegal substances will never find their way back into our streets,” Nerez said.
Shabu accounted for the biggest bulk of the destroyed illegal drugs at 99,450.2745 grams worth P676,261,866.60. Also destroyed were 2,539.577 grams of marijuana, 8.4 milliliters of nalbuphine hydrochloride, 18.1836 grams of ephedrine, and other dangerous drugs.
The destroyed substances originated from various anti-illegal drug operations conducted by PDEA and the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Central Visayas and Negros Oriental and were covered with court orders for their destruction in accordance with existing laws and regulations.
To uphold transparency and accountability, the destruction was witnessed by representatives from the Department of Justice, the Public Attorney’s Office, civil society organizations, the media, and an elected public official, as required under Republic Act No. 9165 and Dangerous Drugs Board Regulation No. 1, Series of 2002.
Prior to the destruction, forensic chemists from PDEA-7 conducted a field test of the seized substances in the presence of witnesses to verify them and maintain the integrity of the proceedings.