Cops, PDEA raid 3rd shabu laboratory in 2 weeks

MANILA, Philippines - Manila police officers and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency operatives raided a clandestine drug laboratory in Quezon City Wednesday night, seizing P15 million worth of methamphetamine hydrochloride (shabu) and laboratory equipment used in its manufacture.

The shabu laboratory at a unit of the BGISIS Mansion along Amoranto Avenue is the last of three shabu laboratories identified by arrested Chinese national Chiu Bing Hung, alias Victor Chiu, according to Meisic police station chief Superintendent Nelson Yabut.

It was also the second shabu laboratory in 10 days discovered under the jurisdiction of police Superintendent Norberto Babagay, chief of Station 1 of Quezon City Police District, who was reportedly relieved from his post. 

Authorities were armed with a search warrant issued by a Manila court against Mylene Donato, wife of alleged Chinese drug lord Peter Chou, and the registered owner of the condominium unit. The unit was unoccupied at the time of the raid.

It was Chiu who led lawmen to kitchen-type laboratories in a residential building in Binondo, Manila on March 21, where P30 million worth of high-grade and unfinished shabu were seized; and in a two-story duplex-type apartment in Talayan Village, Quezon City on March 24, where P40 million worth of shabu and equipment were confiscated.

Chiu is allegedly the chemist employed by reported drug lords Chou, Cai Xi He and Tao Qing Zang, according to Yabut.

Meanwhile, Metro Manila police director Chief Superintendent Roberto Rosales ordered a probe on reports that policemen were seen escorting Chou’s car. He also directed Babagay to explain why he was not aware of the two shabu laboratories in his area of jurisdiction.

Yabut alleged that a surveillance camera caught a patrol car of the QCPD Station 1 fetching Chou and his wife just before the raid.

Babagay denied Yabut’s allegation, which he described as “irresponsible. Newly installed QCPD chief Senior Superintendent Elmo San Diego challenged Yabut to release the video of the incident. – With Reinir Padua lawmen to kitchen-type laboratories in a residential building in Binondo, Manila on March 21, where P30 million worth of high-grade and unfinished shabu were seized; and in a two-story duplex-type apartment in Talayan Village, Quezon City on March 24, where P40 million worth of shabu and equipment were confiscated.

Chiu is allegedly the chemist employed by reported drug lords Chou, Cai Xi He and Tao Qing Zang, according to Yabut.

Meanwhile, Metro Manila police director Chief Superintendent Roberto Rosales ordered a probe on reports that policemen were seen escorting Chou’s car. He also directed Babagay to explain why he was not aware of the two shabu laboratories in his area of jurisdiction.

Yabut alleged that a surveillance camera caught a patrol car of the QCPD Station 1 fetching Chou and his wife just before the raid.

Babagay denied Yabut’s allegation, which he described as “irresponsible.” Newly installed QCPD chief Senior Superintendent Elmo San Diego challenged Yabut to release the video of the incident. – With Reinir Padua