The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Zamboanga (PDEA-9) destroyed illegal drugs worth more than P103 million in Zamboanga City.

The illegal drugs include shabu weighing around 14.5 kilos and marijuana weighing nearly 23 kilos. More than 6,000 pieces of expired medicines were also destroyed.

PDEA-9 said the illegal drugs were presented as evidence in drug cases at different trial courts. They were seized during anti-illegal drug operations across the region.

The illegal drugs were destroyed through thermal decomposition, a process that breaks down chemical compound using extreme heat.

“The destruction of seized dangerous drugs is one of the mandates of the Agency. Destroyed dangerous drugs were all covered by court orders for destruction by the Regional Trial Courts and destruction order from the Director General of PDEA for those not covered by any case filed before any court of law,” PDEA-9 said.

“Destruction of dangerous drugs underscores the commitment of PDEA9 and other law enforcement agencies in the fight against illegal drugs, making sure that seized illegal drugs do not make their way back to the community,” PDEA-9 added.