Background
On September 28, 2020, at around 5:00 PM, joint elements of Zamboanga City Police Station 11, PDEA RO IX-Zamboanga City Office, 904th MC RMFB9, City Traffic Enforcement, RID 9, and ZCMFC conducted a buy-bust operation at the vicinity of P. Lorenzo St., Zamboanga City which resulted in the arrest of four drug personalities and confiscation of more or less 400 grams of alleged cocaine with a market value of Php2,120,000. The inventory of seized drugs was immediately conducted at the place of operation.
Chain of Custody
After the operation at 5:00 PM, Investigator-on-case from ZCPS 11 submitted the drug evidence at 11:15 PM and was received by the PDEA duty chemist, for laboratory examination. The duty and examining chemist carefully examined the submitted evidence making sure the markings and signatures matched with the description on the said request. Right there and then, the examination began.
In less than 6 hours, the analysis was completed (September 29, 2020, at 5:00 AM). At 9:00 AM, the evidence was turned over to the Evidence Custodian of PDEA, and the result was initially relayed to concerned operating units.
In less than 24 hours, the result was released and received by the Investigator-on-case on September 29th at 6:15 in the evening.
Screening Tests Explained
To test whether the submitted evidence contains cocaine and other dangerous drugs and controlled precursors and essential chemicals, the Chief, Laboratory Section explained that the submitted evidence underwent three screening tests, including one specific test for the presence of cocaine. However, all examinations gave negative results per Chemistry Report No. PDEA RO9-20-0034.
To really determine the identity of the sample, since it is negative of cocaine, further analysis was done by the duty and examining chemist using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and the spectral analysis revealed the absence of cocaine or any component related to cocaine. Instead, it revealed the closest match to soluble starch followed by cellulose and dextrose.
PDEA IX Laboratory Section is manned with Chemists who have undergone critical training in the field of drug testing and the laboratory is with ISO certification. It is also equipped with Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) used to determine the spectrum of the sample submitted, exclusive CCTV cameras and no one can just enter the laboratory unless otherwise authorized. The laboratory assigns only one chemist per duty schedule on 24-hour rotation.
Open for Investigation
RD Margate said the office is very much willing to cooperate should there be any investigation to be conducted regarding this, if only to establish the truth. We want the public to be informed as well, especially on matters concerning the processes of drug testing, so that everyone may understand and avoid more doubts and confusion among all of us.
He encouraged everyone to report any PDEA IX personnel suspected of any illegal activities so that proper action would be made. The Agency would not tolerate such kind of activity.
PDEA IX also encourages citizens to report illegal drug activities thru its multi-media platform particularly the FB Page of Isumbong Mo Kay Wilkins, an account that goes directly to the attention of the PDEA DG himself.
And lastly, RD Margate urges the public to continue to trust and support PDEA, Law Enforcement Agencies, LGUs, and the government as a whole, in the campaign against illegal drugs. (PDEA IX Press Statement)