Same suspects, different shabu lab, says police chief

Northern Police District Office (NPDO) chief Senior Superintendent Marcelino Franco Jr. yesterday revealed that Chinese suspects in the biggest shabu lab find last Monday in Valenzuela City could be the same persons arrested in previous raids in other parts of Metro Manila.

He said the suspects had either posted bail or escaped detention, adding that they use several names and aliases to keep their illegal operations running.

Franco said the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency has initiated moves for the issuance of a hold departure order on warehouse owner Lee Yuk Sau and Wang Yashi, two Chinese nationals who managed to escape at the height of the fire that destroyed the building where the lab was located.

As this developed, President Arroyo ordered Interior and Local Government Secretary Jose Lina Jr. to get to the bottom of the shabu lab operation in Valenzuela City. Some P2.2 billion worth of shabu was found stored inside the warehouse converted into a clandestine laboratory.

"I told Joey (Lina) that a case must be filed against the owner of the warehouse. He must follow through with the case," she said.

Meanwhile, Metro police chief Deputy Director General Reynaldo Velasco said the National Capital Region Police Office and local government units will coordinate efforts to inspect all warehouses in Metro Manila to ensure that they are not used for the manufacture or storage of illegal substances.

Valenzuela Mayor Bobbit Carlos had initiated the move after the shabu lab discovery. – Jerry Botial, Marichu Villanueva