The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) said on Wednesday it arrested two Chinese nationals and a Filipino and seized one kilogram of shabu worth P6.8 million during a buy-bust operation in Sta. Maria Bulacan before midnight last Tuesday.
In a report from PDEA spokesman Derrick Carreon, the suspects were identified as Zhicheng Lu, Feiyue Shi and Elgine Monzaga alias Inday.
The operation was carried out by the PDEA agents at around 11:50 p.m. at Block 78 Lot 3-4, St. Mary Village 5A Northville in Barangay Caysio.
Aside from the illegal drugs, the PDEA operatives also confiscated one cellphone, a Toyota Camry and car key, Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) identification card and passport.
Meanwhile, the agency noted that they have the sole authority to take charge and have custody of seized drug evidence under Section 21 (Custody and Disposition of Confiscated, Seized, and/or Surrendered Dangerous Drugs, Plant Sources of Dangerous Drugs, Controlled Precursors and Essential Chemicals, Instruments/ Paraphernalia and/or Laboratory Equipment) of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, as amended by Republic Act No. 10640.
The PDEA evidence room has an upgraded security system, making it inaccessible to unauthorized personnel, with closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras installed for 24/7 monitoring which leave no blind areas in the premises.
PDEA said that fire extinguishers were placed as part of the fire exhaustion system with metal grills and double doors installed around the facility.
The doors of the evidence room are secured with three sets of locks under the custody of three authorized key holders such that the absence of one key holder makes the entry inside impossible.
“Preservation of the physical evidence is as important as its security. Thus, air conditioning units, exhaust fans and dehumidifiers were also installed for proper ventilation inside the facility,’’ PDEA said in an earlier statement.