Police Discover High-Tech Shabu Lab Operated By Chinese In Catanduanes

Police discovered on Saturday a “high-tech” illegal drug laboratory in Virac, Catanduanes.

According to Police Regional Director Melvin Ramon Buenafe, the facility which is situated in Barangay Palta Small in Virac, was the first hydrochloride methamphetamine (shabu) laboratory discovered in the province.

High-technology equipment for illegal drug manufacturing was found. The laboratory was reportedly being operated by Chinese nationals.

Catanduanes Police Provincial Public Safety Company Commander Chief Inspector Charles de Leon said that based on a confession of one drug personality in the region, the said facility was their source of drugs to be distributed in Albay and other neighboring areas.

During the time of the raid, only the caretaker of the facility identified as Lorenzo Penera was in the laboratory.

Chief Inspector Josephine Clemen of Catanduanes Provincial Crime Laboratory confirmed that the facility is a shabu laboratory based on the chemical residue found in the equipment.

De Leon said they tried for several times to penetrate the facility in coordination with the Bureau of Fire Protection, but they were unsuccessful after being denied entry by Penera and another times by a certain Paulo Uy.

Meanwhile, Angelica Balmadrid, the owner of the property, immediately clarified that a Chinese man named Jason Gonzalez Uy rented the property from her.

Buenafe added they will conduct a follow-up operation for the arrest of the shabu laboratory operators.

Source: Sunstar