The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) destroyed more than ₱676.6 million worth of confiscated illegal drugs in Cebu City on Tuesday, July 28, marking the agency’s largest drug destruction activity in Central Visayas since 2017.
According to PDEA, the destroyed contraband included nearly 99.45 kilograms of methamphetamine hydrochloride, locally known as shabu, more than 2.5 kilograms of marijuana, and other dangerous drugs seized during separate anti-drug operations in Central Visayas and Negros Oriental.
The destruction was carried out through thermal destruction after courts issued the necessary orders authorizing the disposal of the confiscated drugs in accordance with the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.
PDEA said the activity was conducted following legal procedures governing the disposal of evidence after court approval.
Director General Undersecretary Isagani Nerez said the destruction was intended to ensure that the confiscated illegal drugs would be permanently removed from circulation.
According to the agency, the disposal forms part of its continuing efforts to prevent seized narcotics from re-entering the illegal drug market.
PDEA described the activity as the biggest drug destruction operation conducted in Central Visayas in nearly a decade.
The destroyed drugs were recovered in separate anti-drug operations carried out by law enforcement authorities across Central Visayas and Negros Oriental.
The agency did not provide additional details about the individual cases connected to the confiscated drugs.
Authorities said the destruction complied with court-issued directives and the provisions of Republic Act No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.
PDEA said proper disposal of seized illegal drugs is an essential part of law enforcement efforts to ensure that confiscated narcotics are permanently eliminated and can no longer be used or distributed.
The agency reiterated that all destroyed evidence underwent the required legal process before its final disposal.
