ILOILO City – About P12.5 million worth of methamphetamine hydrochloride (shabu), dried marijuana leaves and medicines seized from various operations were destroyed yesterday at the Gegato Abecia Funeral Homes and Crematory in Barangay Balabago, Jaro district.
According to Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Region 6 spokesperson Ma. Graziella Tanaleon, there was no more need to continue keeping the items.
These have already been presented to the courts as evidences in the various drug charges filed against suspects from whom the items were seized, she explained.
“Some of the accused drug pushers were already convicted. We destroy illegal drugs after presenting them in court,” said Tanaleon.
PDEA-6 destroyed through thermal decomposition some 1,813 kilograms of shabu with an estimated street value of P12,329,135.48; 1,013 kilograms of marijuana worth P121,544.57; and P74,319.94 worth of medicines.
Prior to the destruction, PDEA personnel conducted an inventory together with officers of the Philippine National Police, Department of Justice (DOJ), representatives from the Iloilo Prosecutor’s Office and barangay officials.
The destruction, spearheaded by PDEA-6 director Edgar Apalla, was in line with Section 21 (4) of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. It stated:
“After the filing of the criminal case, the Court shall, within 72 hours, conduct an ocular inspection of the confiscated, seized and/or surrendered dangerous drugs, plant sources of dangerous drugs, and controlled precursors and essential chemicals, including the instruments / paraphernalia and/or laboratory equipment, and through the PDEA shall within 24 hours thereafter proceed with the destruction or burning of the same, in the presence of the accused or the person/s from whom such items were confiscated and/or seized, or his/her representative or counsel, a representative from the media and the DOJ, civil society groups and any elected public official. The Board shall draw up the guidelines on the manner of proper disposition and destruction of such item/s which shall be borne by the offender: Provided, That those item/s of lawful commerce, as determined by the Board, shall be donated, used or recycled for legitimate purposes: Provided, further, That a representative sample, duly weighed and recorded is retained.”/PN
