Over P60M Seized Illegal Drug Evidences In CAR Burned In La Union Thermal Facility

December 7, 2020 Police Patrol

Over P60 million worth of illegal drugs seized during various anti-drug operations in the Cordillera region were destroyed at a thermal facility of a private cement making firm in Bacnotan, La Union Friday morning.
With a total volume of 417,330.58 grams: 1,498.0747 grams of Methamphetamine; 37.4 mL of Liquid Methamphetamine; 415,832.5102 grams of Marijuana; and 52 marijuana plants were all fed in the thermal facility totally destroying them.
The drug evidences were from 244 cases from various court branches in the Cordillera region. Cordillera police director Brig. Gen. Rwin Pagkalinawan said from these evidences, 45 individuals were convicted, 118 pleaded guilty, though 68 cases were dismissed while 6 cases are still on trial. These cases were filed in the Reginal Trial Court (RTC) Branches 8, 9, 10 and 63 of La Trinidad, Benguet; RTC Branches 3, 5, 61 of Baguio City; RTC Branch 14 of Lagawe, Ifugao; RTC Branch 25 of Tabuk, Kalinga; RTC Branch 64 of Buguias, Benguet; and RTC Mt Province. Pagkalinawan also said that the destruction of the huge amount of illegal drugs is a symbol of “our transparency, accountability and commitment.” The police official added, “ I hope these will send a message of reassurance to our community, that we in the government are banded together to make you safe from illegal drugs.”
PDEA-Cordillera regional director Gil Castro added that Friday’s destruction of seized illegal drugs from various operations by law enforcement agencies in CAR “is aligned with the directive from President Rodrigo Duterte as mandated in R.A 9165 that all drug evidence must be destroyed after presentation from court to avoid recycling or these might fall in the wrong hands.”
PDEA-Cordillera has also forged ties with Holcim, Inc – Bacnotan emphasizing the support of the cement maker to give access of use to destruction facility specifically the thermal process for destroying drug evidence.
Artemio A. Dumlao/ABN