CA: Search warrant in Cavite shabu lab raid valid

The Court of Appeals upheld the validity of a search warrant issued by a Cavite court that allowed government agents to raid a shabu laboratory in Tanza town three years ago, resulting in the arrest of three Chinese nationals.

In a 26-page decision, the appellate court’s 14th Division rejected the petition for certiorari filed by the accused – Li Lan Yan, alias Jackson Dy; Wang Li Na; and Li Tian Hua alias Dy Ken Ya – seeking to declare null and void the search warrant issued by Judge Aurelio Icasiano Jr. of the Trece Martires City Regional Trial Court Branch 23.

The Department of Justice has filed charges of illegal drug manufacturing against the three Chinese nationals before the Cavite RTC.

Icasiano issued the search warrant on July 25, 2003 on the request of the Anti-Illegal Drug Special Operation Task Force of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group.

Before the search warrant was issued, a joint team of the Bureau of Immigration and CIDG conducted surveillance on Li Tian Hua and his wife, Yao Xiao Mei, in Parañaque City, where the three accused and another Chinese national were seen.

Failing to show any document on their legal status in the country, the Chinese nationals were brought to Camp Crame for further investigation.

It was there where Li Lan Yan’s personal driver, Moreto Aburido, volunteered information that the Chinese nationals were allegedly manufacturing shabu at a house in Barangay Kapipisa, Tanza, Cavite.

Police confirmed Aburido’s tip through surveillance and promptly sought the search warrant.