PDEA destroys P2M worth of illegal drugs, equipment

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) on Friday destroyed chemicals and equipment used to manufacture methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu, valued at over P2.2 million.

 

PDEA Director General Arturo Cacdac Jr., led the destruction ceremony of the chemicals and non-drug evidence at the  Green Planet Management, Incorporated (GPMI) in Barangay Punturin, Valenzuela City, a Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-accredited treatment facility.

 

Cacdac said that a total of 993.50 liters of liquid chemicals - composed of diphenylmetyhane, ethanol, formic acid, hydrochloric acid, methanol and sulfuric acid--and 169,721 grams of solid chemicals - composed of ammonium formate, magnesium sulfate, activated carbon, iodine, red phosphorus and sodium hydroxide were destroyed through chemical treatment method. 

 

Laboratory equipment consisting of heating mantles, electric burner, thermometer, separatory funnel, hot plate, iron stand, condenser, beaker, and glass wares confiscated during anti-drug operations were smashed to prevent them from being used again.

 

“In the spirit of transparency and accountability, PDEA will continue to regularly conduct activities to destroy illegal drugs, chemicals drug paraphernalia and laboratory equipment right before the probing eyes of the public. This will eliminate any misconception that these pieces of drug and non-drug evidence are being recycled for other purposes,” Cacdac said.

 

 During the first half of 2014, P1.8 billion worth of dangerous drugs were destroyed in four destruction activities facilitated by PDEA.