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TRECE MARTIRES, Cavite: Government agencies conducted the
destruction of illegal drugs at the Integrated Waste Management,
Inc. (IWMI) facilities in Barangay Aguado, Trece Martires City,
Cavite.
Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and
the newly appointed Dangerous Drug Board Chairman Vicente Sotto 3rd
led the burning of more than 770 kilos of shabu and other dangerous
drugs, with an estimated worth of more than P15 billion.
“The destruction of these drugs means we are
serious in fighting illegal drugs,” said Sotto, adding that it
would help erase the idea that the country is a transshipment point
for illegal drugs. He stressed that where the fight against illegal
drugs is concerned, there is no room for politics.
Assistant Secretary Rodolfo Caisip, who was
present said that there were about 68 boxes of shabu or
methamphetamine hydrochloridexes with each box weighing about 10
kilos and is worth about P70 million, all boxes total to some P5.3
billion.
Other drugs that were burned included 1.19 kilos
of marijuana and 217 kilos of opium poppy seeds.
Last month, the Presidential Anti-Smuggling
Group (PASG) and Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) led the
confiscation of shabu at the free port. Sotto congratulated those
who involved in the confiscation of the illegal drugs and noted the
need to strengthen the intelligence section of PDEA and that he
plans to put up a PDEA office in every region.
“Making public the process of
destruction of illegal drugs helps underscore the significant role
of law enforcement,” observed Ken Marshal of the USDEA. He told
The Times that they will be training SBMA law enforcers in drug
handling investigation, intelligence, evidence handling, tactical
operation and other related topics.
-- Anthony Bayarong and Rogelio Limpin
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