NAGA CITY, Philippines (Bicol Standard) — The caretaker of the shabu lab in Virac, Catanduanes identified as Lawrence Flores Pinera has been formally charged for violation of Republic Act 9165 after inquest proceedings, a police official said on Thursday morning.
According to Police Chief Superintendent Melvin Buenafe, the caretaker waived his right under Article 125 of the Revised Penal Code and opted to remain under the custody of the Virac Municipal Police Station pending investigation.
Based on the official report of the Philippine National Police, the following items were seized during the search and inventory:
- One white rectangular plastic container, containing 792 grams of white crystalline substance suspected to be shabu
- One white steel basin, containing undetermined amount of brownish liquid with crystal (methamphetamine base)
- One white steel basin containing undetermined amount of brownish liquid with crystal (meth. base)
- Five big plastic containers, each containing white crystalline substance with respective net weights as follows: 87.99 kilograms; 107.65 kilograms; 48.46 kilograms; 55.75 kilograms; and 59.90 kilograms all suspected to be precursors of shabu production
- One hot plate with wire gauze
- Four units of glass reactors volume capacity of 50000MI
- Two digital weighing scales with weighing capacity of 30 kilograms
- Two big laboratory vacuum flasks
- Filter papers
- Six units of hydrogenator (for marking)
- Bulk quantity of solvent (for marking)
Jayson Uy and Paolo Uy, who were identified as sublessees of the property where the shabu lab was discovered were not in said place when the search warrant was implemented.
The same report did not contain the names of other persons who may have participation in the operation of the drug lab.