14 containers of shabu chemicals seized in Apayao

FOURTEEN containers with essential substance in making illegal drugs were recovered by joint operatives of the Philippine National Police (PNP)-Cordillera and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in Barangay Malekkeg, Santa Marcela, Apayao, around 10:30 a.m. Saturday.

The Joint Cross Boarder Regional Recovery Operation seized chloroform or ether, one of the main components in making methamphetamine hydrochloride, locally known as shabu, between the boundary of Santa Marcela and Barangay Ayaga, Ballesteros, Cagayan.

Based on initial reports, the chemical containers, which can be used to produce some P1.9-billion worth of shabu, were found hidden on different locations near a swamp not far from each other. They were buried under a tree and covered with banana leaves.

Police Regional Office (PRO)-Cordillera Director Elmo Francisco Sarona said that concerned citizens in the area reported to the Sta. Marcela Police Station that they found the gallon of containers covered with dried leaves.

Sarona said that based on initial test of the Crime Laboratory Service, the containers were confirmed to hold chemicals necessary in making illegal narcotics.

He added that authorities suspect the 14 containers are part of the 50, which were removed from the shabu laboratory in nearby Barangay Nicolas Agatep, Lasam, Cagayan. The laboratory was raided by police back in February 16 last year.

"Sa aming intelligence report ay 50 container gallon ang naipuslit noon bago ni-raid ang shabu lab, kaya ngayon sa pagkakadiskubre ng 14 ay may 36 pa kaming hahanapin (Based on our intelligence report, there were 50 containers before the shabu laboratory was raided. With the discovery of 14 containers, we still have 36 to look for)," said Sarona.

In July, billions worth of shabu were unearthed by authorities in the nearby town of Claveria, Cagayan. They were believed to have been buried after President Rodrigo Duterte started his marching orders to eradicate illegal drug trade in the country.

The chemicals were brought to the PNP headquarters for further testing.

Earlier, five suspected drug pushers were also nabbed by authorities in the different parts of the region.

Arrested over the week were Alfredo Payo Guinaban of Sitio Bacsil, Barangay Dangdangla, Bangued, in Abra; Leonito Castillo Jr. and Oscar Rodriguez Mangwag, who were caught in Kalinga; and Frederick Mundayo Mangili, who was nabbed in Banaue, Ifugao.

In Baguio City, joint elements of Station 9 and City Anti-illegal Drugs Unit arrested a 17-year-old native of Balani, Calasiao, Pangasinan who was residing at UP Village, Cypress, Irisan. Recovered from his possession were three pieces of heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets containing a white crystalline substance suspected to be shabu.

Since July 1, the PRO Cordillera has announced that at least 359 drug personalities in the region were included in their watchlist. More than 5,700 individuals have surrendered. (SunStar Baguio)

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