12/12/2025
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๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐
๐๐จ๐ง๐ญ๐๐ข๐ง๐ฌ ๐๐๐ฌ๐๐๐ฅ๐ข๐ง๐, ๐ ๐๐๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฎ๐๐ข๐ง๐จ๐ ๐๐ง๐ข๐ ๐๐ฎ๐๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐ง๐๐
The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) is warning the public about the proliferation of โPe**teโ (Lophophora williamsii), a spineless cactus that contains โMescalineโ, a dangerous hallucinogenic substance.
PDEA Director General Undersecretary Isagani R Nerez issued the advisory following reports that Pe**te cacti are commercially available on local online shopping platforms.
โMescalineโ is classified as a dangerous drug under Republic Act 9165, or โThe Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002โ, and is listed as a controlled substance under the 1971 United Nations Single Convention on Psychotropic Substances.
โMescalineโ produces powerful hallucinogenic effects that can severely impair judgment and perception. Users may experience intense nausea, vomiting, dilation of pupils, headaches, muscle weakness and loss of motor coordination.
It can be taken mainly by oral ingestion of fresh or dried cacti. It may also be grounded into powder then placed in gelatin capsules, or smoked with cannabis or to***co. โWhen abused, โMescalineโ can cause varying degrees of illusions, hallucinations, distorted sense of body, and altered perception of space and time โ effects that can lead to accidents, self-harm and unpredictable behaviorโ, Undersecretary Nerez explained.
Historically, the โPe**teโ cactus has been used for centuries in indigenous practices by Native Americans and Mexicans.
โThe public must understand that โPe**teโ is not an ornamental plant but a source of dangerous drug. Being sold online either as smuggled contraband or cultivated locally, these cacti are deliberately pushed into online markets to evade detection. We urge the public to immediately report any sightings or suspected sale of this deadly plant in their localitiesโ, DG Nerez said.
โOur foremost objective is to protect the Filipino people from substances that threaten their health, safety and future. โPe**teโ containing โMescalineโ poses real danger. We will not allow it to take root in our communitiesโ, the PDEA Chief added.
