GRACE POE LEADS DESTRUCTION OF P643M WORTH OF ILLEGAL DRUGS

Senator Grace Poe on Wednesday witnessed the destruction of P643-million worth of dangerous drugs, poppy seeds and expired medicines today by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) at the Integrated Waste Management, Inc., Barangay Aguado, Trece Martirez City, Cavite.

"This is a big blow to drug syndicates in the country and serves as a stern warning against pushers and users that we will not stop until lawless elements are neutralized," Poe, chair of the Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs, said.

PDEA Director General Arturo G. Cacdac, Jr. said the burning of drug paraphernalia was made in compliance with Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, and the Dangerous Drugs Board Regulation No.1 series of 2002 governing the custody and disposition of seized dangerous drugs, chemicals and laboratory equipment.

Destroyed were a total of 240,693.5 grams of assorted pieces of drug evidence composed of methamphetamine hydrochloride, or shabu, ketamine, ephedrine, cocaine, marijuana, ecstasy, zolpidem, flunitrazepam, poppy seeds and expired medicines; and 2,250 milliliters of liquid cocaine.

"Based on the consolidated report of the PDEA Laboratory Service, shabu represents 81.3 percent, or P546.05M, of the total amount of illegal drugs destroyed through thermal decomposition," Cacdac said.

To combat illegal drugs, Poe cited three key actions: faster conviction of drug pushers, stricter border control to prevent entry of illegal drugs and vigilance among parents and schools to ensure proper education among children. "Strong and unified government collaboration against illegal drugs is vital," Poe said.