The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency on Thursday destroyed controlled precursors and essential chemicals and laboratory equipment for the production of shabu worth P904,303,333.46 in Valenzuela City.
Director general Wilkins Villanueva said the destruction was the biggest in terms of volume and value in the history of the country’s drug law enforcement.
A total of 259,749.07 liters of liquid chemicals composed of hydrochloric acid, acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, sulfuric acid, acetic anhydride, acetic acid, ethanol, methanol, ammonia, isopropyl alcohol, cyclohexane, diethyl ether, and propylene glycol were destroyed through chemical treatment.
At least 30,192,037.01 grams of solid chemicals consisting of red phosphorus, iodine, sodium hydroxide, acetaminophen, tartaric acid, potassium iodate, sodium acetate trihydrate, and ethyl maltol, sodium chloride, activated carbon, and ionomer were also destroyed.
The destruction was witnessed by local officials, representatives from other law enforcement agencies, the Department of Justice, Department of the Interior and Local Government, and non-government organizations as well as media partners at the Green Plant Management Inc. in Barangay Punturin.
The PDEA chief commended the efforts of the different branches of regional trial courts for the expeditious prosecution and disposition of drug cases that led to the prompt destruction of these chemicals and laboratory equipment no longer needed as evidence in court.
The destruction of the dangerous drugs is in compliance with the guidelines set on the custody and disposition of seized dangerous drugs required in Section 21, Article II of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 and Dangerous Drugs Board Regulation 1, Series of 2002.
“PDEA continues to destroy dangerous drugs, CPECs, and laboratory equipment right before the public not only in compliance with the law, but also in the spirit of transparency and accountability,” Villanueva said.