The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) has destroyed more than 2.2 metric tons of dangerous drugs with an estimated street value of ₱12.34 billion, marking its biggest drug disposal activity so far this year.
The destruction was carried out Thursday through thermal decomposition at the Integrated Waste Management Inc. facility in Trece Martires City, Cavite, according to PDEA.
The agency reported that a total of 2,224,679.9705 grams of solid dangerous drugs and 106,386.0500 milliliters of liquid dangerous drugs were permanently destroyed.
Shabu accounted for the overwhelming majority
Methamphetamine hydrochloride, commonly known as shabu, made up the largest portion of the seized substances.
PDEA said it destroyed approximately 1,774,023.9425 grams of shabu, with an estimated street value of about ₱12.06 billion.
Two major operations accounted for much of the haul: the interception of 876,000 grams of shabu in MIMAROPA and the confiscation of 906,406.40 grams in Valenzuela City during a major law-enforcement operation involving agencies from CALABARZON.
Together, those two seizures represented roughly 1.7 metric tons of shabu.
Other substances included more than 433 kilograms of marijuana, about 2.2 kilograms of cocaine, as well as smaller quantities of MDMA, ketamine, nitrazepam, psilocybin, diazepam and other dangerous substances. The disposal also included liquid marijuana, more than 104,000 milliliters of liquid methamphetamine hydrochloride, and 15,000 grams of assorted expired medicines.
Why the destruction matters
PDEA Director General Undersecretary Isagani Nerez said the destruction represents the final stage of law-enforcement operations that resulted in the confiscation of the drugs and their subsequent disposal.
The agency said permanently destroying the seized substances prevents them from being diverted or returning to the illegal drug market.
The activity was witnessed by Dangerous Drugs Board Chairperson Secretary Oscar Valenzuela, together with representatives from government and law-enforcement agencies, partner organizations and members of the media.
The latest disposal comes as authorities continue their broader campaign against illegal drugs nationwide.
Earlier this month, the Philippine News Agency reported that PDEA operations from July 30 to August 6 resulted in the seizure of approximately ₱98 million worth of illegal drugs and the arrest of 139 suspects.
In July, PDEA also reported a major nationwide milestone, saying authorities had seized ₱122.53 billion worth of narcotics during the first four years of the Marcos administration, with more than 206,000 people arrested in anti-drug operations, according to PNA.
The destruction of the ₱12.34-billion haul therefore represents more than another disposal ceremony—it underscores the continuing effort to ensure that confiscated dangerous drugs do not make their way back onto Philippine streets.
And with more seizures continuing across the country, authorities are facing the next challenge: keeping newly intercepted drugs from ever reaching communities in the first place.
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