Operatives of the Philippine National Police (PNP) are now tracking down the syndicate behind the discovery of a P6.6 billion “shabu” laboratory in Valenzuela City.

PNP Chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said authorities are investigating whether other illegal laboratories exist in the country that could potentially be linked to the Valenzuela operation, as he ordered intensified efforts to track down the syndicates behind the lab.

“I have instructed our personnel, particularly the PDEG, to intensify its intelligence monitoring and gathering to trace if there are other shabu laboratories existing in the country, especially in the metro,” Nartatez said.

This move aligns with directives from President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla to completely eradicate illegal drugs in the country.

Operatives from the PNP and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency dismantled the large clandestine shabu laboratory inside a warehouse in Valenzuela City on Feb. 22. Authorities confiscated 906.41 kilograms of suspected shabu worth P6.16 billion and 64.15 liters of liquid methamphetamine valued at P436.22 million.

Police said a 30-year-old suspect was arrested for allegedly selling 500 grams of shabu worth about P3.4 million to an undercover agent.

“We will conduct follow-up operations as we believe that what we discovered in Valenzuela City was being operated by a huge syndicate,” Nartatez said. He emphasized that authorities are determined to catch other suspects involved in the operation.

“We will leave no stone unturned in tracking down every individual connected to this syndicate. This successful operation is proof that we will not allow illegal drugs to flood our streets and destroy the lives of our people,” Nartatez added.