PDEA burns P4 billion worth of drugs

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) on Thursday destroyed more than 726 kilograms of dangerous drugs, controlled precursors, and essential chemicals (CPECs) with a street value of P4.154 billion.

The drugs, which were seized in operations conducted with other law enforcement agencies like the police and the National Bureau of Investigation, consisted of 601.446 kg of crystal meth or “shabu” worth P4.1 billion, 110.694 kg of marijuana (P13.29 million), 12.975 kg of ecstasy (P51.53 million), 32 grams of a combination of meth and ephedrine (P111,218.40), and 6.28 grams of cocaine (P33,284).

Also destroyed were CPECs such as codeine, ephedrine, phentermine, and liquid marijuana.

The drugs were destroyed through thermal decomposition or thermolysis, which involves breaking down chemical compounds with the use of tremendous heat, the PDEA said.

Among the drugs disposed of were the 990 kg of shabu seized in the controversial Oct. 8, 2022, raid in Tondo, Manila, which is now being investigated by the Philippine National Police and National Police Commission.

The drug operation is also the subject of inquiries being conducted by both the Senate and House of Representatives over alleged irregularities committed by members of the PNP’s Drug Enforcement Group.

On March 16, the PDEA also disposed of a total of 3.7 tons of narcotics and other drugs worth almost P20 billion—the largest volume so far.

The PNP, on the other hand, said that it seized over P5 billion worth of illegal drugs between Jan. 1 and April 25 this year from 15,589 antidrug operations that also resulted in the arrest of 20,799 drug offenders, including those engaged in drug trafficking activities.

Continue to be ‘aggressive’

The bulk of the drugs came from a warehouse rented by a Chinese national in Baguio City. The raid on March 29 yielded 75 kg of shabu worth P4 billion.

“This is a great accomplishment in our campaign against illegal drugs. We will continue to be aggressive in all our operations against big-time drug personalities or high-value individuals,” newly installed PNP chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. said in a statement.

“Under my leadership, I will assure the public that the PNP will remain steadfast in its commitment to protect the Filipino people and rid the country of the drug menace. We will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that our communities are safe and secure,” he added.

In his first press conference on Tuesday at Camp Crame, Acorda said he would continue his predecessor’s “aggressive” antidrug campaign, but with more focus on intensifying intelligence and counterintelligence against “the few” police officers involved in the illegal trade.

He also warned policemen against engaging in drug activities, saying that violators would be criminally and administratively charged and removed from the service.

READ: PDEA destroys almost P20-B worth of dangerous drugs