A suspected illegal drugs laboratory was raided in Barangay Zapatera, Cebu City.

Operatives from Police Regional Office (PRO) 7, Cebu City Police Office (CCPO), Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit (RPDEU) 7, and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) 7 implemented a search warrant against an alleged chemical engineer operating a drug laboratory in an apartment in D. Jakosalem, Barangay Zapatera, Cebu City.

The raid was conducted afternoon on June 30, 2025.

The subject of the search warrant was referred to as alias “Tepen,” 32 years old, a resident of the said area.

Prior to the raid, Tepen was arrested dawn on June 27, 2025. Seized from him were alleged party drugs - cocaine and ecstasy; and shabu, all worth  P2.2 million.

Based on the pieces of evidence seized from the suspect, the operatives applied a search warrant.  The Regional Trial Court 7th Judicial Region, Branch 17, Cebu City issued the search warrant.

Upon implementation of the search warrant, authorities found machines, chemicals, and other ingredients used purportedly by the suspect in manufacturing illegal drugs.

PRO 7 Regional Director, Police Brigadier General Redrico Maranan, said that the subject was monitored within five months prior to the implementation of the search warrant.

The name of the suspect was dropped by other drug suspects apprehended during various anti-illegal drug operations, especially during the election period. 

Based on intelligence gathering, Maranan disclosed that the suspect is the source of ecstasy and cocaine and in distribution of party drugs in Central Visayas, Western Visayas, and other regions.

“Siya na mismo talaga ang source sapagkat siya yung gumagawa, siya yung nagma-manufacture, siya na rin yung nagbibigay doon sa kanyang mga distributor,” Maranan pointed out. 

"Nakita natin nandoon lahat ng component kung paano gawin yung party drugs, so napakaraming chemicals ang nandoon sa loob ng kwarto, iba't-ibang klaseng powdery substance at iba't ibang klaseng equipment kung papaano mag-manufacture nung tinatawag natin na party drugs,” Maranan added.

An apparent exhaust tube in the room is used possibly to diffuse strong odor as the room is not properly ventilated, the operatives cited.

Further, it was learned that the suspect has been operating since 2022, catering to partygoers in high-end clubs and tourist spots, and that the suspect has another person assigned to distribute the illegal drugs with payment transaction done online. 

"Very slim yung structure ng kanyang sindikato, from him mag-isang tao lang siyang kinakausap yun ang pinaka main distributor niya at yung main distributor niya naman niya yun yung maraming downline,” Maranan further said.

In addition, a firearm and a grenade were also seized from the suspect’s possession.

The caretaker of the apartment was surprised at the raid.

Alias “Jen” said she has not observed anything suspicious in the apartment, and has not smelled anything obnoxious.

However, Jen said that of all tenants, the suspect incurs the largest electric bill at about P6,000 monthly.

She said she asked the tenant on the type of devices he is keeping. The suspect, she said, answered that everything he uses is electric.

GMA Super Radyo Cebu tried to seek a comment from the suspect. However, he denied an interview.

The police are looking at other cases to be filed against the suspect aside from violation of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.