Forensic examinations to determine illicit drugs commonly seized in the Philippines: From evidence to judgment
Ronald Jefferson A Narceda
Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, Philippines
: Forensic Toxicol Pharmacol 2015, 4:4
Abstract
Illicit drug industry is certainly a global concern and demonstrates a tremendous challenge to various drug law enforcement agencies. In recent decades, crime rates associated with drug abuse has been increasing and its adverse social impacts are very alarming. These many kinds of drug of abuse are derived from either natural products or chemical synthesis. The former include mainly opiates, cannabis and cocaine. The latter include various amphetamine type stimulants (ATS) such as methamphetamine and methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA). In Philippines, methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu is the most common drug of abuse and accounts the majority of all locally reported drug law violations. Marijuana(Cannabis sativa) remains the second most used drug in the country as alternative drug choice to methamphetamine hydrochloride. Furthermore, a number of local seizures also comprise MDMA, cocaine and selected opiates and benzodiazepines. To mitigate illegal drug concerns in the Philippines, the government through the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency(PDEA) strictly enforces a comprehensive dangerous drugs law in partnership with various drug enforcement groups in the country. Accordingly, all seized items are subjected to forensic analysis for drug identification to support arresting officers in their effort to apprehend drug offenders. Given that PDEA being the lead agency for anti-drug operations, PDEA laboratory service is well-equipped to extensively analyze different drug evidence seized by law enforcers. Note worthily, since the Philippines is archipelagic in nature, PDEA forensic laboratories were decentralized strategically nationwide for fast tracking of results. This review summarizes various methods of drug analysis in the country using both traditional and modern methods and also employing the use of analytical instruments such as FT-IR, RS, GC-FID and GC-MS. It further highlights the Filipino forensic chemists vital role in providing valuable drug identification reports required to execute suitable charges for drug criminals. Finally, some problems regarding forensic examination in the Philippines are discussed for reference purposes.
Biography
