“Drugs recycling?” Not on the watch of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).
On Tuesday, the antinarcotics agency, acting on court orders, destroyed P9.237 million worth of chemicals and equipment previously seized in operations on “shabu” (methamphetamine hydrochloride) laboratories.
“In the spirit of transparency and accountability, PDEA will continue to destroy illegal drugs, chemicals, drug paraphernalia and laboratory equipment right before the probing eyes of the public,” said PDEA Director General Undersecretary Arturo Cacdac, who led the destruction ceremonies at the Green Planet Management Inc. (GPMI) treatment facility in Barangay Punturin, Valenzuela City.
“This is to eliminate any misconception that these pieces of drug and nondrug evidence are being recycled for illegal purposes,” Cacdac added, referring to widespread rumors that narcotics agents were reselling confiscated illegal drugs.
At the destruction ceremony, a total of 5,042.82 liters of liquid chemicals, 3,926,500 grams of solid chemicals were destroyed through the chemical treatment method, while the laboratory equipment were smashed.