VALENZUELA SHABU LAB SMASHED

JONT operatives of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the Philippine National Police (PNP)  dismantled an alleged shabu laboratory inside a warehouse in Industrial Park, Bgy. Veinte Reales, Valenzuela City, authorities on Wednesday said.

PDEA said seized during the operation was a total of P6.6 billion worth of shabu.

Prior to the raid conducted on Sunday, operatives of the PDEA Regional Office IV-A Cavite Provincial Office and PDEA Regional Office-National Capital Region (RO-NCR), in coordination with members of the Valenzuela City Police Station, arrested alias “JP,” 30, a resident of Cubao, Quezon City.

The suspect was apprehended after selling 500 grams of suspected shabu, with an estimated market value of P3,400,000, to an undercover operative disguised as a buyer.

The transaction led authorities to the discovery of the shabu laboratory, which had been the subject of sustained intelligence monitoring stemming from previous anti-drug operations.

A subsequent raid inside the facility yielded 906.4064 kilograms of shabu worth P6,163,563,520, and 64.15 liters of liquid methamphetamine valued at P436,220,000, along with other controlled precursors and essential chemicals, and assorted laboratory equipment used in the manufacture of dangerous drugs.

“This is one of the most significant drug laboratory discoveries in recent years. The volume of shabu seized represents nearly one metric ton that would have otherwise flooded communities across Metro Manila and beyond,” said PDEA Director General Undersecretary Isagani R Nerez.

He added: “Part of our drug supply reduction efforts is to target clandestine laboratories which strikes at the very heart of the illegal drug supply chain, crippling distribution networks before the illegal drugs can reach the streets”.

The PDEA chief commended the steadfast cooperation led by Valenzuela City Mayor Wes Gatchalian for his strong and consistent support in the government’s drive against illegal drugs, and the Philippine National Police (PNP) in the successful conduct of the operation.

“The invaluable help of Mayor Gatchalian has facilitated the success of the investigation. Our success is built on unity. This operation demonstrates what can be achieved when law enforcement agencies and local governments stand together against the drug menace,” Nerez noted.

In line with the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, PDEA continues to intensify intelligence-driven operations nationwide to dismantle clandestine laboratories and disrupt the supply chains of illegal drugs.