shabu laboratory in La Uninon raided by authorities

Miami
July 10, 2008
Story 2: shabu laboratory in La Uninon raided by authorities

A shabu laboratory was raided in the province of La Union after some residents reported a foul odor in the area.

The raid happened last July 9, 2008 at around 1:00 pm in barangay Bimmotobot, Naguilian, La Union which according to Chief Inspector Gil Hempes, chief of investigation division of La Union Provincial police Office, lasted up to 5:00 pm because of the chemicals that they recovered.

“The area is already under surveillance for a month because of the complaints of some residents that they smell foul odor,” Hempes said. He added though that the nearest house on the area is about one to two kms. away.

Hempes explained that the shabu laboratory is located in the mountainous area of the said barangay and what the residents knew that the area would be a piggery but they are not seeing any pigs at the area and wondered why there were foul odor at the area.

The area is about 11 to 12 hectares reportedly being rented by a certain George Cordero, but he is not at the place when the arresting team went there. But the police were able to arrest two of his caretakers named Dante Tomas Palaganas and Andy Tangalin and will be charged of violation of RA 9165 or comprehensive drugs act.

The police recovered 6 truck loads of different equipments and ingredients used in making shabu. Among they recovered are 30 pieces of cauldron, 79 containers of iodine crystal (about 4 gallons on each container); 15 aluminum barrel of red phosphorous, 80 sacks of soda potassium hydrate and 65 boxes (five liters each) of ethanol.

Hempes also said that the shabu laboratory is already operating for almost one year. The police are now looking for the possible whereabouts of Cordero who is renting the said place.