DOJ pushes drug raps vs. 4 HK nationals, probe over ‘floating shabu lab’ links

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has recommended the filing of drug-related charges in court against four Hong Kong residents caught last Monday inside a "floating shabu laboratory" off Subic, Zambales.

In a resolution penned by Senior Assistant State Prosecutor, the DOJ found probable cause to charge Win Fai Lo, Shu Fook Leung, Kam Wah Kwok, Kwok Tung Chan for violation of Section 8 (Manufacture) and 11 (Possession) of Article II of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

"Considering the PNP-Anti-Illegal Drug Group's credible and straightforward narration of the facts, we have no recourse but to find probable cause against all respondents collectively for separate violations [of RA 9165]," read the resolution.

Apart from recommending charges against the four Hong Kong residents, the DOJ also urged concerned authorities to investigate how "floating shabu labs" like that of the respondents were able to enter the Philippines.

"How the respondents were able to brazenly sail their clandestine drug boat within and around Philippine territorial waters with impunity is a matter that must be thoroughly investigated by our naval, maritime, and immigration authorities," said the DOJ.

For their part, the PNP and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency should also look into the respondents' possible linkages and distribution networks with local drug groups.

"We do not know yet whether this Chinese clandestine laboratory boat is the only one or but one of many plying our waters," said the DOJ.

Authorities earlier said that based on information from a reliable source, a joint team from the PNP, Philippine Coast Guard, Bureau of Immigration, Bureau of Customs and the PDEA apprehended the suspects' fishing vessel that was seen harboring at the municipal water of Barangay Calapandayan, Subic, Zambales.

When approached by authorities, the four presented their passports, showing they were Hong nationals and entered the Philippines on July 4. During a search of the vessel, a canine dog spotted a blue back pack that contained a resealable transparent plastic bag with crystalline substance believed to be shabu.

Leung admitted owning the bag, authorities said.

Also discovered inside the vessel was a hydrogenerator machine used in manufacturing dangerous drugs and which the DOJ considered was prima facie ("at first look" or "on its face") finding that manufacturing was actually done by the respondents inside the boat.

A laboratory exam conducted by the PDEA on the seized items showed the presence of methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu.

The DOJ said since the four were inside the boat when the illegal drug substance and paraphernalia were found, they were considered to have "control and shared dominion over the boat and therefore had constructive custody over the back pack and its contents." — RSJ, GMA News