Puerto Galera drug lab busted, P6.8M shabu seized

Authorities dismantled a suspected clandestine drug laboratory and seized about one kilogram of shabu worth P6.8 million in Barangay Sinandigan on 31 March, the Philippine National Police said Wednesday.

Operatives from the Puerto Galera Municipal Police Station, Oriental Mindoro Police Provincial Office and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Regional Office MIMAROPA implemented Search Warrant No. SW-26-016 for violations of Sections 8 and 11 of Republic Act 9165 at around 9:27 a.m. The identified suspect, alias “Chin Chin,” was not present during the operation and remains at large.

Recovered from the site were 48 containers and various materials with traces of white crystalline substance believed to be shabu, 11 containers of unidentified liquids, glass filtering flasks, LPG tanks, stove burners, a generator and other drug manufacturing paraphernalia. The seized evidence will be returned to the issuing court, with a motion to retain for turnover to PDEA for laboratory examination.

“This operation underscores our relentless drive to dismantle drug networks at their source. Hindi lang natin hinuhuli ang mga sangkot—sinisira natin ang kanilang kakayahang mag-operate,” said PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. “Hindi lang ito laban sa ilegal na droga—ito ay laban para sa proteksyon ng bawat mamamayan.”