PDEA RAIDS CLAN LAB IN AYALA ALABANG, 5 CHINESE OPERATORS ARRESTED

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) opened the year with the dismantling of a clandestine laboratory and the arrest of five Chinese nationals during a raid conducted in an exclusive subdivision in Ayala, Alabang in the early morning of January 6, 2012.

PDEA Director General Undersecretary Jose S. Gutierrez Jr. identified the Chinese nationals operating the clandestine laboratory as Ken Ming Chao, alias Lam Tse Kin, 49; Lam Ka Chun, 51; Choi Yiu Kit, 33; Choi Yiu Chun, 33; and Kwok Chi Keung, 42. Gutierrez said his men have been monitoring the activities of the group for almost a year now before the Chinese nationals settled in the one-hectare property in Acacia Avenue last July 2011.

By virtue of a search warrant, elements of PDEA National Capital Region, under Director Pedrito Magsino, raided the property at 504 Acacia Avenue, Ayala, Alabang in Muntinlupa City at around 4:30 am. The suspects tried to escape but PDEA agents were able to capture all five of them. Finished products, drums containing controlled precursors and essential chemicals, and high-end laboratory equipment were discovered in the site.

“Based on the laboratory equipment we found, the estimated capacity of the facility is 10 kilograms per production cycle which takes about two to three days,” Gutierrez said, adding that inventory is still ongoing to determine the volume and value of all the drug and non-drug evidence.

Considering that PDEA regulates the importation of controlled precursors and essential chemicals to prevent diversion into illegal manufacture of dangerous drugs, Gutierrez expressed interest on how the chemicals were acquired by the suspects. “I want to find out if these chemicals are diverted or smuggled,” the PDEA Chief said.

PDEA is completing documentary requirements to file appropriate cases against the arrested suspects for violation of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, particularly on Section 8 (Manufacturing), Section 11 (Possession), and Section 12 (Possession of Equipment for the Manufacture of Dangerous Drugs). Ms. Evangeline DJ Almenario, Chief, Public Information Office, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency