BY CALVIN CORDOVA
CEBU CITY – Seized illegal drugs amounting to close to P80 million were destroyed here yesterday.
The destruction was held at the Cosmopolitan Funeral Homes, which offered its thermal destructor to be used in burning the seized illegal drugs.
“These illegal drugs were seized from various anti-drug operations in Metro Cebu. Court orders have been issued for destruction after these illegal drugs were used in court hearings as evidence,” said Levi Ortiz, regional director of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Central Visayas (PDEA).
Representatives from various government and private sectors were on hand to witness the destruction.
Chemists also checked the authenticity of the illegal drugs.
At least 11 kilos of shabu and more than a kilo of marijuana leaves with combined amount of at least P75 million went up in smoke.
Packs of shabu and marijuana worth P600,000 which came from Region 8 were also destroyed.
Expired medicines amounting to P1.9 million were also destroyed.
The PDEA 7 explained pharmacies are mandated by law to turn over expired medicines to the anti-drug agency for destruction.
Nine of the 11 kilos of illegal drugs that were destroyed came from the Police Regional Office Central Visayas (PRO 7).
“We assure the public on the integrity with the handling of evidence,” said PRO 7 regional director Albert Ignatius Ferro.
Ferro said the PRO 7 will coordinate with the courts for the fast-tracking of court orders so that more seized illegal drugs will be destroyed.
Yesterday’s activity came a few days after President Duterte ordered the destruction of illegal drugs to prevent recycling.
Ferro warned that policemen caught recycling seized illegal drugs will be dealt with accordingly.
“Recycling of seized illegal drugs is against the law and we are warning policemen that we will run after you if you engage in this kind of activity,” said Ferro. (Calvin D. Cordova)
