In a significant move against narcotics, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) obliterated PHP489 million worth of illegal drugs in Cebu City on November 14, 2024. This operation, conducted at the Cosmopolitan Funeral Homes, marked the largest drug destruction in Central Visayas since 2017, according to PDEA-7 Regional Director Alex Tablate.
The drugs, which included over 71 kilograms of shabu, 3 kilograms of marijuana, and 55 ecstasy tablets, among others, were destroyed using thermal decomposition, a process that breaks down chemicals at 1,000 degrees Centigrade. This destruction was the second of its kind in the region this year and followed a court order.
Before the incineration, PDEA-7 chemists tested the substances in the presence of witnesses to ensure the integrity of the process. The event was observed by a public official, representatives from the Department of Justice, Public Attorney’s Office, civil society, and media, adhering to the guidelines set by Republic Act 9165 and Dangerous Drugs Board Regulation No. 1 series of 2002.
Judge Ruelo Saladaga of Regional Trial Court 69 in Lapu-Lapu City, who attended the destruction, emphasized the importance of a comprehensive approach to the country’s anti-drug campaign and the judiciary’s dedication to justice.
The drugs destroyed were collected from various operations spanning from 2003 to 2024 across Cebu and Bohol provinces, and the cities of Cebu, Mandaue, and Lapu-Lapu. Since 2017, Central Visayas has destroyed a total of PHP2.36 billion worth of illegal drugs, showcasing a relentless effort to curb drug proliferation in the region.