The Department of Justice (DOJ) has conducted an ocular inspection of the "mega illegal drugs laboratory" that was discovered in Catanduanes in 2016 before its destruction as ordered by the trial court.
DOJ Assistant Secretary Eliseo D.C. Cruz led the inspection granted by the Makati City regional trial court (RTC) where the cases against those reportedly involved are now pending.
In 2016, law enforcement agents raided the illegal drugs laboratory which was as big as the size of two basketball courts in Barangay (village) Palta, in Virac town.
Considered as one of the biggest drug hauls in the country at that time, seized from the laboratory were 22.509 kilograms of methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu, 200 milliliters shabu liquid, 359.75 kkilograms of Ephedrine and several drug manufacturing equipment.
Illegal drugs charges have initially been filed before the RTC in Virac but the Supreme Court (SC) ordered the case transferred to the Makati City RTC in 2018 at the request of the DOJ due to concerns that the case could be influenced.
Among those charged are former National Bureau of Investigation acting director for Region 7 Augusto Eric Isidoro, Xian Xian Wang, Pido Bonito, Paolo Uy, Jayson Gonzales Uy, Lorenzo Flores Piñera II, Paolo Wee Palisoc, Phung Yuan Estorco, and Sheng Wang.
“The total destruction of illegal drugs is a pivotal step in ensuring that peace and order are always kept intact among our communities,” Assistant Secretary Cruz said in a statement on Wednesday, May 29.
Cruz said the government will never allow anyone to benefit from the dangerous business of illegal drugs.
Earlier, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin C. Remulla directed Cruz to lead the ocular inspection after state prosecutors handling the case sought assistance due to the volume of contrabands to be destroyed and the limited period to conduct the activity.