DAVAO CITY (PIA) - - Approximately P24.8 million of illegal drugs composed of shabu, marijuana and cocaine were destroyed, June 22,  using the kiln of the Philippine-Japan Active Carbon, Inc. in Barangay Malagamot, here.

The illegal drugs were taken from the municipal and regional trial courts in Regions XI, XII and XIII.

Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) XI regional director Naravi Duquitan said the illegal drugs were those confiscated and used as evidence in various court hearings in the three regions.

“These are the pieces of evidence from the three regions in Mindanao.  For the record, a total of 2,570.6048 grams of shabu, 20,200.1695 kilos of marijuana, and 779.9521 grams of cocaine which are worth P24.8 million,” she said.

She added that Director III Arlene Lovitos of PDEA XII, Director Sherilyn Magdurulang of PDEA XIII and herself gave their support to the first destruction of drugs and drug paraphernalia this year.

Duquitan said that the objective of the destruction of illegal drugs, paraphernalia and expired medicines is to erase the wrong notion or doubts in the minds of the public that there is recycling of dangerous drugs.

“President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., continues the fight against illegal drugs and I salute the dedication of the three PDEA regional offices XI, XII and XIII and other law enforcement agencies with the support of the local government units and stakeholders in carrying out the government’s effort towards drug free regions,” she said. (JSGD/PIA Davao del Norte)