Tiñga orders inspection of warehouses after drug raid

MANILA, Philippines - Taguig Mayor Sigfrido Tiñga has directed concerned barangay officials to inspect more than 100 warehouses in Barangay Bagumbayan following a drug raid in the area that yielded P10 billion worth of shabu.

He specifically ordered barangay chairman Delio Santos to check if the other establishments within the Mañalac industrial zone are engaged in any illegal activity.

“If they (establishment owners) refuse to open their doors for inspection, we will bring in the police to make sure that their premises and operations are fully inspected,” Tiñga said.

He earlier lauded the arrest of two alleged pushers during the raid on a warehouse that had been used as a shabu laboratory. Police found P10 billion worth of shabu and equipment used to manufacture the drug. 

Police officers of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) Regional Police Intelligence Operation Unit (RPIOU), led by Superintendent Leo Francisco, arrested Chinese nationals William Altejeros, alias Charlie Sy Lim, 40; and Guofu Fu, 30, in a drug bust Friday.

Upon interrogation, investigators were able to pinpoint the location of the drug laboratory allegedly established by the suspects in February at a warehouse on Carlo Drive in Mañalac subdivision.

Armed with a search warrant issued by Pateros Judge Isagani Geronimo, police officers raided the warehouse Friday afternoon.

NCRPO chief Director Roberto Rosales said several hi-tech shabu manufacturing machines, at least 14 drums of red phosphorous hydrochloric acid, acetone, iodine and soda were found at the scene.

The suspects hid their operation by using machines to freeze the chemical fumes, eliminating any stench. They sealed windows and other wall openings with cement, police said.

Tiñga commended Rosales and his men for a job well done. “We thank the NCRPO for being a reliable partner in our fight against crime, particularly the illegal drugs trade. This is a serious blow to big-time drug traders in our country. We call on the public to help us in the war against drugs,” he said.

Police said the suspects have been the subjects of a surveillance operation for two months. The suspects were reportedly staying at a hotel in Ermita, Manila and started renting the warehouse on Feb. 15.

Police said the suspects claimed they were putting up a spare parts business under the name of Henry Ang. Santos said the suspects did not secure any business permits from the barangay or city government.