Zamboanga City, Philippines – October 18, 2024 – In a significant effort to combat illegal drug activities, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Regional Office IX conducted a large-scale destruction of seized narcotics today at the Permex Producer and Exporter Corporation in Barangay Ayala. A total of Php103,876,131.46 worth of illegal drugs, including shabu and marijuana, were destroyed through thermal destruction, a process that reaches temperatures of up to 800 degrees Celsius to ensure complete incineration.
The destroyed contraband consisted of 14,547.6618 grams of shabu, 22,947.4168 grams of marijuana, and 6,062 expired medicinal products classified as dangerous drugs. These items were collected from various trial courts following extensive anti-drug operations coordinated by PDEA 9 and other law enforcement agencies.
The disposal of these dangerous drugs is a vital mandate of the PDEA, as all destroyed items were covered by court orders and the agency’s destruction orders. The event was attended by a range of officials, including Zamboanga City Mayor Hon. John M. Dalipe, representatives from the Department of Justice (DOJ), Public Attorney’s Office (PAO), Philippine National Police (PNP) PRO9, Zamboanga City Police Office, PNP Crime Laboratory, Philippine Coast Guard, and local civil society organizations. Media members and court representatives from different Regional Trial Courts (RTCs) in the area also witnessed the event.
PDEA 9 Assistant Regional Director Ralph Rommel D. Torres expressed his gratitude to all attendees for their support in this essential endeavor. The Guest of Honor, Undersecretary Earl P. Saavedra, Executive Director of the Dangerous Drugs Board, delivered a speech emphasizing the importance of such activities in the ongoing fight against illegal drugs. He was introduced by PDEA 9 Regional Director Maharani R. Gadaoni-Tosoc.
This marked the second drug destruction operation conducted by PDEA RO IX in 2024, following an earlier event on August 8 at the Libertad Power and Energy Corporation (LPEC) in Aurora, Zamboanga del Sur, where Php1.5 million worth of dangerous drugs was destroyed.
The destruction of illegal drugs not only underscores PDEA’s commitment but also reinforces the collaborative efforts of various law enforcement agencies to prevent these substances from re-entering the community, ensuring a safer environment for all residents.
