Drugs burnt in incinerator not furnace, says crematorium director
The $50.97million worth of cocaine bars were destroyed by the Fiji Police Force at the industrial incinerator, not at the human cremation furnace.
Dignified Crematorium managing director Maurice Ruggiero made the clarification after concerns were raised by members of the public regarding the burning of hard drugs at the crematorium.
Mr Ruggiero said the hard drug was burnt with the use of lean LPG Gas to promote high temperature pyrolysis, this was achieved at a temperature of 900 to 1,100 degree celsius.
“The materials are destroyed in the primary chamber of the incinerator,” he said.
“Gaseous fuel-rich products from the primary chamber pyrolysis process pass into the secondary chamber where it is mixed with secondary air.
“This is to provide a combustible mixture, which is further ignited to destroy and prevent harmful emissions. Once again this is achieved using high temperatures.
“Hard drugs were not destroyed in the cremation furnace. We have a state-of-the-art computer controlled advanced industrial incinerator which was made in America,” he said.
He said the industrial incinerator was located at the back of the Crematorium in a specially fitted container.
“This is pictured on the front page of the Fiji Sun on July 29, behind the Commissioner of Police Brigadier-General Sitiveni Qiliho,” he said.
“This Incinerator is also being used for medical waste, expired medications, sensitive documents and pet animal cremations.
“Our advanced incinerator meets stringent international emission standards in regards to emission of particulates and smoke.”
Visible emissions seen on the Fiji Sun front page photo was because Cocaine has a high moisture content which created a temporary visible plume caused by condensation of water vapor.
Out 173 kilograms of Cocaine loaded and destroyed in a single load, only 4.6 kilograms of residue ash material was left behind. It was tested by the Fiji Police Forensic team immediately after opening the incinerator and found to be totally negative or inert for drug content.
He said all human bodies have and will always be cremated in the advanced body cremation furnace in a dignified and environmentally safe manner.