P6M drugs used as evidence in130 cases go up in smoke

An agent of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency throws illegal drugs into the trash bin as Judge Macaundas Hadjirasul), Assistant City Prosecutor Mario Ley Gidayawan, Maria Johanna Calustre of the Public Attorney’s Office, PDEA Regional Director Esperidion Javier and Capitol Site barangay captain Manuel Guanzon look on. (CDN PHOTO/JUNJIE MENDOZA)

Illegal drugs valued at  P6.6 million were destroyed yesterday as part of the routine disposal of evidence which are no longer needed by the trial courts.

Agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) dumped 840.22 grams of shabu, 58.33 grams of cocaine, 1.65 grams of marijuana and several ampules of Nubain, a restricted drug, on a steel trash bin before they were set on fire outside the Palace of Justice in Cebu City.

The disposal of evidence was witnessed by representatives from the Cebu City Prosecutors’ Office, Public Attorney’s Office, members of the Crime Laboratory, Capitol Site barangay captain Manuel Guanzon, and the media.

Regional Trial Court Judge Macaundas Hadjirasul of Branch 8 said the disposed items were used as evidence in 130 drug cases filed before his sala since 2010.

Of these cases, 129 ended in the acquittal of the accused while one case remains pending before the court.

“We’re not going to bring these evidence to Qimonda IT Center. Since almost all of these items were used in cases that were already terminated by the court, it’s but logical to destroy them. When an accused is acquitted, the decision is final,” Hadjirasul told reporters.

Disposal of illegal drugs used as evidence in resolved cases is required under section 21 of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.

PDEA regional  director Esperidion Javier Jr. said they chose not to flush the items down the toilet, which was the common practice in disposing illegal drugs, to be certain that no one could retrieve the items.  “Malay natin, there’s a little possibility nga makuha pa ang mga drugs na ito sa canal. (Who knows, there is a little possibility that these illegal drugs can still be recycled from the sewers),” he said.

The PDEA earlier sought permission from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources for them to burn the drugs using denatured alcohol to ignite the fire.
“Whether a drug case ends in conviction or acquittal, the seized drugs must be destroyed,” Javier said.

He said the PDEA is doing its best to address the growing menace of illegal drugs in Cebu.

“When we talk of illegal drug situation in the Philippines, Cebu ranks number one in localities outside Manila. Cebu has been the drop-off point of illegal drugs due to its location,” he said.

Javier said illegal drugs have also been transported through fishing boats to avoid the strict scrutiny in various ports.
“Our government is doing everything to fight illegal drugs which has been an international concern,” he said.