PDEA destroys P10-M worth of ‘shabu’ ingredients and lab equipment

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency on Thursday destroyed P10 million-worth of chemicals and lab equipment used for manufacturing shabu (crystal meth).

“Seized controlled precursors and essential chemicals (CPECs), together with laboratory equipment intended for the production of methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu valued at P10,671,263.00 were destroyed today (October 12, 2017),” the PDEA said in a statement.

READ: Drug war: PNP out, PDEA in

Hon. Robert Ace S. Barbers, Representative of 2nd District, Surigao del Norte, was represented by Atty. Nilo Geonzon, for the destruction ceremony of the chemicals and non-drug evidence turned over by authorities.

The destruction activity was held at the Green Planet Management, Incorporated in Barangay (village) Punturin, Valenzuela City.

A total of 228 liters of liquid chemicals composed of xylene chemicals, hydrochloric acid, chloroform, pytridine, benzaldehyde and ethanol worth PP204,082.25 and 3,814,070.79 grams of solid chemicals composed of caustic soda/sodium hydroxide, palladium, iodine, calcium chloride, red phosphorous, sodium acetate, barium sulfate, sodium sulfate, copper (II) sulfate pentahydrate and caffeine worth P9,446,436.75, were destroyed through chemical treatment, PDEA Director General Aaron Aquino said.

Assorted laboratory equipment with an estimated value of P1,020,744.00 were smashed into pieces to prevent them from being used again.

PDEA continues to regularly destroy illegal drugs, CPECs and laboratory equipment right before the public, thus allaying any misconception that these pieces of drug and non-drug evidence are being recycled or peddled back in the streets,” Aquino said. /idl