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MANILA, Philippines — Four police officers who are allegedly protecting a clandestine shabu (crystal meth) laboratory inside the Subic Bay Freeport Zone in Zambales, and another individual, were arrested during a drug buy-bust operation on Friday.
Operating units from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the Philippine National Police seized some 300 grams of suspected shabu during the operation conducted at about 1 a.m., a report from PDEA said. Operatives also dismantled the clandestine shabu laboratory following the bust, PDEA said.
PDEA agents who led the operation arrested the suspects in the “kitchen-type” laboratory located at Quarter 366-B Sangley Loop, Finback, West Kalayaan inside the Freeport Zone.
The laboratory could produce at least 3 to 4 kilograms of shabu daily, investigators said.
Those 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.
Clandestine shabu laboratory/ Photo from PDEA
Adrian Alvariño, regional director of PDEA – National Capital Region, said the syndicate behind the operation of the clandestine laboratory is composed of a Canadian national, a Filipino who delivers the shabu, and the four police officers from the Subic Station Drug Enforcement Unit “who is (sic) their protector and helps them dispose of the illegal drugs.”
He said a follow-up operation is ongoing for the arrest of the Canadian national.
According to Alvariño, the laboratory was discovered when Dabu who was the subject of the buy-bust ran towards the house where the shabu laboratory is located. “His police escorts and protectors were also arrested nearby who served as lookout,” he said.
“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.