The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in Western Visayas along with the local government unit of San Carlos destroyed P53.44 million worth of dangerous drugs on Friday, November 26, at a San Carlos City Bio-Power Inc. (SCBI) facility in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental.
The drugs were evidence of decided cases from courts in the cities of Cadiz, Silay, Himamaylan, Kabankalan, Bago, and San Carlos in Negros Occidental; Roxas City and Mambusao in Capiz province; and Iloilo province that were surrendered.
Of the contraband, 6,280.0099 grams were methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu worth P53,380,084.15, while the 427.7840 grams of marijuana were worth P64,167.
The drugs were destroyed through thermal destruction with the use of a broiling machine at SCBI.
PDEA-6 assistant regional director Donelyn Hemedez said the method was in accordance with government and environmental laws on disposing of illegal drugs.
Mayor Renato Gustilo said the local government is finding ways to make San Carlos a drug-cleared city. The city government is giving incentives to the local police for successful operations and confiscations of illegal substances, he said.
He assured Hemedez that officials in the city are not using illegal drugs or engaged in any illegal drug activities, and that the LGU will continue to support PDEA in its fight against illegal drugs.
Alexander Pino, SCBI assistant vice president, thanked the PDEA for the opportunity to help the agency in carrying out its mandate, which also showed that SCBI cares for the environment, the community, and the continuous fight against illicit drugs.*