Surveillance leads to discovery of drug lab

The apprehension of a Chinese national which led to the discovery of a shabu laboratory in Parañaque City Friday was the result of more than two months of surveillance work conducted by law enforcement agents.

Chief Superintendent Jose Gutierrez Sr., Southern Police District director said this yesterday in light of questions raised about the circumstances leading to the discovery of the lab.

Based on police reports, suspect Xuzi Bin Ong was apprehended while illegally throwing garbage at an open dumpsite inside the Executive Heights Subdivision, Barangay Sun Valley, Parañaque City last Friday morning. When apprehended, police and barangay officials discovered that the bag Xuzi was carrying contained a sizeable amount of ephedrine, one of the raw materials used in the manufacture of shabu.

Gutierrez admitted that the discovery of the shabu lab was pure luck as Xuzi was merely accosted for illegal dumping of garbage.

The police received information from barangay officials that residents in the area were smelling a foul odor they could not describe.

In spite of the residents’ complaints, the police and barangay officials could not pinpoint the exact source of the fumes.

Gutierrez claimed that Xuzi’s choice of venue for setting up his shabu lab was deliberate as it was situated behind the open dump. He said the stench of the garbage cloaked the fumes emitting from the house.

Gutierrez quoted Interior and Local Government Secretary Jose Lina Jr., as saying that he had also heard several reports about the area.

In his directive to the police and barangay officials, Gutierrez said that all suspicious vehicles should be checked.

Last Saturday, barangay officials saw a Delica van parked near the open dump and found Xuzi dumping broken glass materials.

Gutierrez said the team of policemen that conducted the operation last Friday will be recommended for promotion while letters of appreciation would be issued to the barangay personnel.

Xuzi is being eyed as the brains behind the entire operation of the shabu lab in spite of his claim that he is just an employee of a certain Mr. Lee and that he has other companions inside the house.

Gutierrez said he doubted the claims of Xuzi as he suspected that he was only trying to mislead the authorities into believing that he was just a pawn.

If found guilty, Xuzi faces the death penalty under Republic Act 9165, the amended law on illegal drugs. Xuzi will be officially charged before the prosecutor’s office of Parañaque City today.

The police will also check the identity of the real owner of the house being rented by Xuzi.

A certain Teddy Monasterio, believed to be a former La Salle and Philippine Basketball League player, is suspected to be the owner of the house after police found his jersey uniform during the search conducted last Friday night.