ANTI-narcotics agents in Northern Mindanao destroyed more than P35 million worth of dangerous drugs seized during various anti-illegal drug operations.

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Northern Mindanao (PDEA-10) burned the illegal drugs at a funeral homes in Cagayan de Oro on Thursday, July 28.

Destroyed were 48, 331 grams of marijuana (fruiting tops, dried leaves, and plant); 4, 399 grams of shabu; and 07181 grams of MDMA (ecstasy tablet). Also burned were expired dangerous drugs from different pharmaceutical companies and hospitals both private and government.

PDEA-10 said a thermal decomposition or thermolysis at 1,000 degrees centigrade heat is the method of decomposition or breaking down of chemicals which resulted in the total decomposition of all dangerous drugs.

The destruction is in compliance with Republic Act 9165 also known as The Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, Section 21 (4) that all trial courts are required to conduct an ocular inspection of the illegal drugs and drug paraphernalia within 72 hours from the filing of the criminal information of drug cases. Further, all seized items have to be destroyed by the PDEA within 24 hours after the inspection.

PDEA-10 added that it has been conducting destruction of confiscated drug evidence recovered during anti-drug operations and those turned over by other law enforcement agencies (OLEAs) with court order for destruction.

The agency also emphasized that it will never tolerate recycling of dangerous drugs even as it urged the public to report any illegal drug activities in the region.

PDEA-10 director Jigger Montallana assured the public that all confiscated drugs under its custody were destroyed.