TACLOBAN CITY, Philippines (PIA) - The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in Region 8 conducted last Sunday the burning of the biggest number of cocaine bricks confiscated in Eastern Visayas so far.
The burning of 93 cocaine bricks totaling 102.926 kilograms of the illegal toxic drug, cocaine, was conducted beside the regional office of PDEA 8 within the Government Center Grounds in Baras, Palo, Leyte in the presence of PDEA national officials led by PDEA Director-General Dionisio R. Santiago, PDEA 8 Regional Director Julius Navales, PNP-Leyte officers and men, national and local government officials and members of the private and government media in Tacloban City.
According to Liza Baoy, Information Officer of PDEA 8, the burning of the cocaine bricks by PDEA 8 was the second time that action was effected in the region.
The destruction of the contraband substance was done in accordance to Section 21 of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
The first burning of cocaine bricks in the region was conducted last May 25, 2010 at the Balyuan Park in this city. That first batch burned totaled some 72 bricks with a total weight of 80.146 kilograms.
Baoy added that the burning of cocaine bricks last Sunday morning was the fourth time this was done in the country, with the first such burning of the drug done in December 28, 2009 at the PDEA Central Office in Manila. The second time was on February 18, 2010 in Malabon City and involved with 200 cocaine bricks.
Baoy also informed media here that the estimated total price of the 93 cocaine bricks burned last Sunday morning was placed at R514.63M, at a street or selling price of R5 million per kilogram of cocaine.
"The cocaine bricks (destroyed last Sunday) were part of the stash of cocaine bricks confiscated through anti-drug operation dubbed Operation:
Samar Bricks jointly conducted by operatives of PDEA 8, the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Philippine National Police (AFP-PNP)-8, the Philippine Coast Guard and the local government units (LGUs) here in the province of Eastern Samar" Baoy further informed.
