PDEA alerts public on signs of possible shabu labs

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) briefed the public on clues they can use to tell if a shabu laboratory is operating in their own neighborhoods.

In Raffy Tima's report for 24 Oras,  PDEA Public Information Office (PDEA-PIO) director Derrick Carreon instructed landlords in subdivisions and isolated areas with rented out homes to assess their tenants carefully.

"Sa abandonadong lugar, matagal nang wala doon. Biglang may dumarating na mga foreign-looking and they ayun nga, biglang nagka-tao," he said.

Carreon noted that personalities involved in drug manufacturing were capable of shelling out the rent in full.

They could also prefer privacy and security a little too much.

"Kahit mahal 'yung renta, babayaran nila 'yan ng buo and then halos sabihin nilang 'wag nang mag-check 'yung may-ari, kami na'ng bahala," Carreon said.

"'Pag hindi po nila tinitingnan, exercising their visitorial powers or authority to check the property upang malaman kung ginamit na sa illegal o hindi, eh maaari d'yan magka-problema sila," he added.

The illicit activities, he added, are also likely to take place at night.

The PDEA advised residents to come forward with information when spotting laboratory waste, such as bottles, drums and other containers for chemicals.

Moreover, the strong fumes of chemicals, specialized ventilation systems and large wiring installed in homes are indications as well.

Carreon urged the public not to be afraid to give information to the police or the PDEA.

"Wag po silang matakot dahil 'pag nagbigay sila ng impormasyon, we will hold that in utmost secrecy.

"And, in fact, may reward system pa po tayong nakalatag through operation 'Private Eye,'" he added.

The PDEA decided to share the information after a series of anti-drug operations uncovered shabu laboratories concealed in the cover of regular homes.

The agency uncovered a shabu laboratory inside a 1.3-hectare livestock farm in Barangay Sto. Niño in the municipality of Ibaan, Batangas last April 12, 2018.

They dismantled another suspected shabu warehouse in Tinajeros, Malabon City during a follow-up operation.

Next, the agency found another facility inside a Marikina subdivision at the house reportedly owned by a Chinese drug personality. — Margaret Clair Layug/BAP, GMA News