PDEA to establish drug lab in EV

A regional drug laboratory of the Philippine Drug and Enforcement Agency (PDEA) will be established within this month of July, PDEA Regional Public Officer Liza F. Baoy disclosed.

The construction of this drug sample testing laboratory will give the agency the capability to analyze drug samples and conduct drug testing obtained from anti-drug operations. However, as of press time, all confiscated drugs are directly deposited to the Philippine National Police (PNP) crime laboratory.

As mandated in the Republic Act 1965, PDEA shall take charge and have custody of all dangerous drugs and controlled precursors and essential chemicals seized, confiscated or surrendered to any national, provincial or local law enforcement agency.

“The goal of Director General Arturo Cacdac Jr. is to equip and capacitate all regional drug laboratories as mandated by the law and to lessen the workload of the PNP.” Baoy said.

Moreover, the National Office Laboratory Service assures to send basic equipment that can be used in analyzing the presence of Amphetamines and Tetrahydrocannabinol that can be found in shabu and marijuana samples, respectively. In addition, PDEA already have chief evidence custodian and 3 newly-hired chemists that were trained for six months at National Headquarters.

The laboratory would be located at PDEA main bulding, Candahug, Palo, Leyte.