4 arrested in Bulacan raid on illegal gold smelting operation

Authorities have arrested four people allegedly involved in illegal gold smelting activity in a town in Bulacan.

"Unang Balita" reported Thursday morning that the illegal gold smelting operation in Meycauayan town was a subject of complaints by residents due to the offensive smell it exudes.

Police said the owner of the smelting operation managed to escape during the raid.

All the four people inside the gold smelting quarter were arrested and brought to the police station.

A resident claimed that during smelting activities, the stench from the acid and other chemicals used to capture the gold particles was unbearable and many people have already fallen ill.

"Yung po usok ng tinutunaw nila, nakakarating sa amin. Naaamoy po namin," a resident said.

Those arrested claimed they were not part of the smelting operation and the raid came when the were delivering materials for gold production.

Based on the pictures accompanying the complaints filed by the residents show that chemical waste is already polluting part of the Meycauanyan River.  Also, some pieces of evidence include piles of sacks of electronic boards used in the production of gold.

Authorities have ordered the shutdown of the smelting den and the owner and the those arrested have been charged for violating the Clean Air Act; Comprehensive Water Quality Management Act; Toxic and Hazardous Substances Act; and the Solid Waste Management Programs Act. —LBG, GMA News