PDEA: Authorities discover abandoned shabu lab in Rizal
By Chito Chavez
A shabu laboratory was discovered after anti-narcotics authorities barged inside an abandoned residence during the serving of a search warrant operation in Antipolo City, Rizal, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) stated on Saturday, May 10..
In a statement, PDEA noted that the authorities failed to get any response when the search warrant was being served in a deserted house located along Porsche Street, Village East Executive Homes, Barangay Munting Dilaw at around 8:55 p.m. on May 9 that prompted them to make a forcible entry.
While inside the house, authorities discovered a hidden shabu laboratory where “voluminous amounts of laboratory apparatus and equipment, chest freezers, drums and sako (sack) bags containing liquid and powdery substances, and plastic sachets with traces of white crystalline substances suspected to be shabu’’ were found.
PDEA Director General Isagani R Nerez pointed out the discovery of the shabu lab was a follow-up to the previous operations conducted by PDEA and other law enforcement agencies.
“Though the shabu laboratory was found abandoned, its owners and operators have already been identified. It is only a matter of time before they are caught by the long arm of the law. They may have left the place in haste upon knowing that authorities are hot on their trails,” Nerez noted.
Nerez attributed the success of the operation to the close coordination and case build up with the support of other government anti drug units and the active involvement of vigilant citizens who continue to report suspicious activities in their communities.
The operation was carried out by the PDEA Special Enforcement Service (SES), PDEA Regional Office IV-A Rizal Provincial Office, National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) and PNP Drug Enforcement Units (DEUs)
Nerez noted that the operation “is in consonance with the marching orders of His Excellency President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, to pursue high-value drug personalities and the clandestine source of production and distribution of illegal drugs.’’