3 nabbed, P200-M shabu seized in raid on drug lab in Manila

MANILA, Philippines - Government operatives arrested three people and seized some P200 million worth of methamphetamine hydrochloride (shabu) after raiding a drug laboratory at the boundary of Manila and Navotas Cities Thursday night. Radio dzBB's Denver Trinidad reported the government operatives also seized several containers of brown liquid and ingredients used in making drugs. National Bureau of Investigation and Manila Police District operatives took part in the search, after more than a month of surveillance. "Ito nagsimula noong February nang dumating ang Chinese nationals. Sinundo ito sa airport [We started tracking the Chinese since they arrived at the airport February]," MPD head Chief Superintendent Roberto Rosales said. He added the drug seized in the raid was the first batch cooked up by the ring. One of the three was initially identified as Lito Ang, a Chinese Filipino, from Xiamen. Rosales said the second is also from Xiamen while the third is from Kaoshung in Taiwan. He did not immediately name the other two. He said the three stayed at Manila Grand Opera Hotel for several days after arriving in the country, then moved to the laboratory where food was brought to them. Rosales said they plan to grill the owner of the building on how much the drug ring paid as rent. The laboratory occupied the whole third floor of a four-story building along H. Lopez Boulevard in San Rafael in Tondo, at the boundary of Manila and Navotas Cities. Investigation showed the equipment was arranged in such a way that the bad smell emanating from the laboratory wouldn’t bother residents in nearby areas. - GMANews.TV