Charge vs Chinese in 'mega shabu lab' case stays
MANILA, Philippines — A Makati court rejected a Chinese national’s plea to drop the drug charges against him over his connection with the "mega shabu laboratory" in Catanduanes.
Accused Xian Xian Wang and eight others, including former National Bureau of Investigation acting director Augusto Eric Isidoro, are facing a case of violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 before Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 63.
Wang challenged the Information filed against him and said that there is “no factual allegation...of any over act...that may link him as conspirator” in drug trading.
Acting Presiding Judge Selma Palacio Alaras, in her order, said that Wang is being accused of “attempt or conspiracy to manufacture any dangerous drug and/or controlled precursor and essential chemical.”
The Makati judge stressed that the Information “clearly and accurately alleges the crime charged” and that it has no defect that would warrant any amendment.
She also said that when Virac Judge Lelu Contreras issued a warrant, she personally determined that there was probable cause by going through the prosecution’s documents.
“There is no need to disturb the finding of an equally competent court,” Alaras added.
The case stemmed from a police-led raid of the “mega shabu laboratory” in Catanduanes on Nov. 26, 2016.
Believed to be the owner of property where the laboratory was constructed is a certain Sarah Sarmiento and leased by Angelica Balmadrid, who is allegedly the common-law wife of Isidoro.
Seized in the shabu laboratory are 22.509 kilograms of crystallized metamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu and 359.75 kg of Ephedrine, both considered dangerous drugs. Chemicals and equipment for the manufacture of illegal drugs were also confiscated during the search.
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