Authorities arrested four police officers who were alleged protecting a clandestine shabu laboratory in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone in Zambales on Friday.
Another individual was also arrested in the drug buy-bust operation.
Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the Philippine National Police conducted the operation at around 1 am wherein they recovered 300 grams of suspected shabu. The operatives discovered the clandestine shabu laboratory following the operation.
PDEA arrested the suspects in the “kitchen-type” shabu laboratory located at Quarter 366-B Sangley Loop, Finback, West Kalayaan inside the Freeport Zone.
Investigators said the laboratory could manufacture at least 3 to 4 kilograms of shabu daily.
The police officers arrested were identified as Lt. Reynato Basa Jr., Cpl. Gino Dela Cruz, Cpl. Edesyr Victor Alipio, Cpl. Godfrey Duclayan Parentela. Also arrested was a certain Jericho Dabu.
According to Adrian Alvariño, regional director of PDEA – National Capital Region, the syndicate behind the make-shift shabu laboratory is composed of a Canadian national, a Filipino who delivers the illegal drugs, and the four cops from the Subic Station Drug Enforcement Unit “who is (sic) their protector and helps them dispose of the illegal drugs.”
The PDEA is conducting a follow-up operation to arrest the Canadian national.
Alvariño said the shabu laboratory was discovered when Dabu who was the subject of the buy-bust ran towards the house where it was located. “His police escorts and protectors were also arrested nearby who served as lookout,” he said.
Four cops arrested in clandestine shabu laboratory in Subic
“This type of laboratory is common in Western countries, using improvised equipment and available chemicals in the market. The operation is under the case operational plan of PDEA NCR and CIDG (Criminal Investigation and Detection Group) Northern District,” Alvariño added.
Last week, A makeshift laboratory of illegal drugs was also raided by PNP and PDEA personnel in Cainta, Rizal.
According to authorities, a “Jose” from Brgy. San Andres, Cainta booked door-to-door delivery services to send a package to a hotel in Manila.
The rider was very skeptical, so when he saw the police, he asked for help. They discovered that what was under the bag was suspected shabu.
The PNP Drug Enforcement Group and PDEA went to Jose’s house. Upon entering the house, they found the makeshift kitchen laboratory, several chemical bottles, pills, and suspected shabu.
Jose was able to escape from the police.