The Philippine Online Chronicles

More than a week after finding a shabu laboratory at the exclusive Ayala Alabang subdivision in Muntinlupa City, government operatives have again raided two similar laboratories in the area.

According to Inquirer, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), armed with search warrants, found around three kilograms of shabu or methamphetamine hydrochloride which is estimated to be worth P15 million.

Last Jan. 6, PDEA caught five Chinese nationals and an undetermined amount of chemicals used to make drugs at 504 Acacia Avenue in Ayala Alabang after local residents tipped them.

However, on Saturday, the laboratories they found were unmanned. The first one at 119 Kanlaon Street had shabu and Novahist cold tablets. The cold tablets are believed to be used to extract ephedrine, an ingredient used to make shabu.

The second one at 536 Country Club Drive contained only chemicals to make the drugs.

PDEA agents are now tracking down suspected Chinese nationals from Hong Kong who reportedly rented the houses.

PDEA public information chief Evangeline Almenario said in an interview, “Based on our initial assessment, they were medium-scale clandestine laboratories, but we are still investigating how big exactly the operation was. An inventory of the drug evidence is ongoing.”

Almenario also said they are investigating if the two laboratories are in any way connected to the one-hectare property raided a week ago.

He said the laboratories were probably left by the tenants after hearing about the drug bust in Acacia.

“The two properties were abandoned. There are signs that the occupants have hurriedly left. I believe they were prompted to leave following the raid on Acacia Avenue,” PDEA Director General Jose Gutierrez Jr. said.

Because of the incident, Ayala Alabang barangay chair Alfred Burgos said, “The Ayala Alabang Village Association, which is the guardian of security for this village, is now reviewing the processes of tenants and agents involved in leasing procedures.”

Muntinlupa Mayo Aldrin San Pedro also asked Ayala Alabang officials how the drug laboratories were able to operate under their watch.

“There could be sanctions if they are found to be remiss in their jobs,” San Pedro reportedly said.

He added that among the barangay mandate under the Local Government Code is “maintaining a drug free environment.”

“Hindi lang drugs kasi baka may iba pang illegal activities na nangyayari sa loob na hindi natin alam (It’s not just drugs because there might be other illegal activities that are happening that we don’t know about),” Public Information Chief Omar Acosta quoted the mayor.

Gutierrez said the laboratories had a strong stench but it could not be detected from the outside. However, the empty packs of Novahis found in the garbage bags must have raised the suspicion of the garbage collectors.

The cold medicine is said to be common in Thailand and Korea.

“I hope with the discovery of the drug laboratories, the homeowners would adopt measures that would prevent the entry of drug syndicates into the subdivision,” Gutierrez said.