House with shabu chemicals raided, thanks to burglars

At least four drums of "essential chemicals" and various paraphernalia for manufacturing of shabu were seized by authorities yesterday morning following a raid conducted by composite members of the Central Police District (CPD) and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in a house in Quezon City.

CPD-Station 5 Commander Supt. Jolly Dizon said the team swooped down on the house on Buick street, Dahlia Subdivision, Fairview at about 9 a.m. by virtue of a search warrant issued by Judge Apolinario Bruselas Jr. of the QC Regional Trial Court Branch 93.

The house, which had earlier been leased, was abandoned, Dizon said.

He said police found out about the existence of the precursor materials, burners, and other shabu-making equipment inside the house from two suspected members of the Akyat-Bahay Gang earlier arrested for burglarizing the said residence.

Dizon said suspects Albino de Guzman, 33, and Roberto Duroja, 28, both of Barangay Holy Spirit were apprehended last Aug. 14 by security guards of Radyo Veritas. They were subsequently turned over to CPD-Station 5.

Dizon told The STAR that De Guzman and Duroja initially entered the house but fled to the adjacent Radyo Veritas Compound after they were spotted.

It was learned that the robbers had been staying inside the house from the night of Aug. 13.

Recovered from De Guzman and Duroja were weighing scale, a gas stove, and machine for counting bills. The suspects were subsequently charged with robbery before the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office and detained.

However, three days alter, he suspects told police there were materials and chemicals used in making shabu being kept inside the house.

This prompted the CPD-Station 5 to conduct a surveillance of the house in coordination with PDEA agents.

Dizon said the suspects are currently undergoing further tactical interrogation.

The confiscated precursor materials and paraphernalia were brought to the Philippine National Police Crime Laboratory for examination.

PDEA operations chief Assistant Secretary Rodolfo Caisip said the house appeared to have been long abandoned when it was raided at about 10 a.m.

Found inside the house were at least four drums of toluence and amphetamine — raw materials for the manufacture of shabu. As of presstime, police are still conducting an inventory of the chemicals seized in the suspected drug laboratory. – With Mike Frialde