A stash of 2.87 kilograms of shabu was flushed down the toilet yesterday as part of the routine disposal of evidence which is no longer needed by the trial court.
The drugs, with a market value of P21.2 million, were immersed in a basin of water before they were disposed of by the court at the Palace of Justice in Cebu City.
The activity was witnessed by representatives from the Public Attorney’s Office, the prosecutors’ office, members of the Crime Laboratory, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), and the media.
Regional Trial Court Judge Samuel Malazarte of Branch 15 said the disposed items were used as evidence in eight drug cases filed before him and the presiding judge before him.
Of the the eight drug cases, one ended in a conviction while the others were all acquittals.
“We have to destroy and dispose of the evidence used in cases which were already terminated. That is done since the drugs might get lost or recycled,” Malazarte told reporters.
Before the items were destroyed, an inventory was made by the PDEA led by its regional director Julius Navales.
Disposal of illegal drugs used as evidence in resolved cases is required under section 21of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.