INSEE Ecocycle provides safe disposal solution for cocaine
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President Maithripala Sirisena, INSEE Ecocycle Director (left) and CEO of INSEE Cement Lanka (right corner) looking at the liquefied confiscated cocaine.
Continuing the milestone initiative commenced in January 2018 to eradicate a vital national menace, the sustainable waste management solutions provider INSEE Ecocycle Lanka (Pvt) Ltd, popularly known as INSEE Ecocycle, once again joined hands with the Sri Lanka Police (SLP), Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB) and National Dangerous Drugs Control Board (NDDCB), Government Analytical Department (GAD) and the President Task force for drugs Prevention to responsibly dispose confiscated Cocaine Hydrochloride through Cement Kiln co-processing, for the second-time in Sri Lanka.
In January 2018, the company disposed of 928 kgs of confiscated Cocaine using the same technology taking the first forward step to resolve the problem.
This year, the first phase of the process was held on April 1 at DNS warehouse, in Gonawala, Kelaniya under the patronage of President Maithripala Sirisena and the supervision of PNB, NDDCB and Sri Lanka Police, Government agencies and industrial experts involved in the process of confiscated cocaine disposal through co-processing were also present, the company said in a media release.
The cocaine material was confiscated by Sri Lanka Police Narcotics Bureau, followed by the verification of the narcotic material under the guidance of Government Analyst Department (GAD), NDDCB and Attorney General’s Department.
Chairman of National Dangerous Drugs Control Board, Prof. Saman Abeysingha said: “Testing conducted by the National Narcotic Laboratory of NDDCB as per the orders of the Magistrates of Magistrate Courts in Aluthkade and Mount Lavinia confirmed the feasibility of disposal of specific court samples in the cement Kiln co-processing at INSEE Ecocycle, Puttalam.” He further said, “However, feasibility of destruction of other illicit drugs such as Heroin, Cannabis, other narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances including new psychoactive substances using the same disposal procedure is under the laboratory investigation at the NDDCB. In addition, the NDDCB works on providing scientific recommendations, coordinating, supervising and monitoring of the disposal of court samples along with the Police Narcotic Bureau and other drug law enforcement agencies for fighting against the problem of drug trafficking and abuse in the country.”
INSEE Ecocycle carried out the technical evaluation with the support of PNB and NDDCB on feeding mechanism and pre-processing activities for safe disposal of the dangerous drug whilst minimising the social and environmental impact. The technical evaluation included a comprehensive risk assessment and mitigation action plan covering all the aspects of environmental, social, health and safety areas throughout the pre-processing, logistics and co-processing value chain to ensure safe and secure disposal.
Nandana Ekanayake, Chief Executive Officer of INSEE Cement, Sri Lanka, added: “As we have the only fully integrated cement manufacturing facility in the country that possess the required capability to provide this solution. INSEE Cement is proud to support the national cause and contribute to building a drug-free nation. Sri Lanka’s only operational Cement Kiln Co-processing facility is in our Puttalam Cement Plant. INSEE Cement has always focused on Occupational Health and Safety of all our stakeholders and as a responsible corporate citizen, we are proud and honoured to extend our support and ensure the safe disposal of harmful substances with utmost care and professionalism”
Sanjeewa Chulakumara, Director of INSEE Ecocycle Lanka said: “INSEE Ecocycle is the only sustainable waste management business in the country with over 16 years of experience in disposing of dangerous materials amounting to over 650,000 tons of waste. Ensuring the safe and secure disposal of this material was a huge challenge and we appreciate the support and guidance of SLP, PNB, NDDCB, GAD and Presidential Task Force for drug prevention experts, throughout the process enabling us to implement the task successfully.”
The confiscated Cocaine was liquefied in an aqueous medium. The pre-processing involved a conversion of the chemical structure and the physical state of the material. As per the calculated ratios in pre-trials, the material was dissolved in water ensuring zero residual remains. For visual differentiation of the material, a colouring agent was added.