Over P127-M worth of illegal drugs destroyed

Over Php 127-M worth of illegal drugs were destroyed during the ceremonial destruction of dangerous drugs held at the co-processing facility of Geocycle and Holcim Philippines, Inc. in Bacnotan, La Union on February 21, 2023.

The activity was spearheaded by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA-CAR) under the leadership of Atty. Julius M. Paderes, Acting Regional Director.

For the PNP, present during the activity were PCOL RONALD V GAYO, the Deputy Regional Director for Operation (DRDO), PCOL MARITES B VILLACARLOS, Chief of the Regional Forensic Unit- Cordillera (RFU-COR); and PCOL JAMES D MANGILI, Chief of the Regional Operations Division (ROD).

Other key officers present during the event were: Engr. Samuel Manlosa, Geocycle Head; Atty. Wilfred M Carbonell, RO CAR Legal Prosecution Unit and Laboratory representative; Engr. Rolando H Ong, Plant Manager of Holcim Philippines, Inc.; and Hon. Edijer Valmonte, Sangguniang Bayan Member and Committee Chairperson on Peace and Order and Public Safety of Bacnotan, La Union.

As the highlights of the activity, a total of Php 127,561,320.676 worth of shabu, marijuana, and other drug paraphernalia were destroyed through thermal decomposition, these are all converted as an alternative fuel through the Alternative Fuel Raw Material Facility of Holcim and will be used to create the clinker, a primary ingredient in making cement.

The activity aims to reiterate the chain of custody for court proceedings and to immediately destroy illegal drugs that are no longer needed as pieces of evidence in courts to restore public trust through transparency and accountability.

As the guest of honor and speaker, PCOL GAYO in his message recognized the PDEA-CAR as one of the key players in the realization of the PROCOR’s shared goal of having a community where people can live safely and happily as the PROCOR and PDEA-CAR works tirelessly to engage the community to become active partners in anti-illegal drug operations.

Also, the activity complies with the directive to immediately destroy confiscated drugs to avoid stealing and recycling, as well as under the guidelines cited in Section 21, Article II of Republic Act No. 9165 known as the ‘Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002’ and in the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) Regulation No. 1, series of 2002 on the custody and disposition of seized drugs. (PROCOR-PIO / File Photos)