P149.6 million shabu seized in 2 Ayala Alabang homes  

MANILA, Philippines — Anti-narcotics agents seized 22 kilos of methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu worth P149.6 million during a raid on two houses, one of which is a suspected shabu laboratory, in an upscale neighborhood in Muntinlupa City at past midnight yesterday.

Two foreigners and a Filipino were arrested in the operation in Ayala Alabang Village at around 12:30 a.m.

Carrying a search warrant and supported by Southern Police District personnel, operatives of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency led by PDEA officer-in-charge Assistant Secretary Gregorio Pimentel raided a house suspected of being a shabu laboratory along Mabolo street and confiscated 20 kilos of shabu valued at P136 million.

The lawmen also seized laboratory equipment and controlled precursors and essential chemicals, three cell phones and financial documents.

Pimentel said two people were arrested in the shabu laboratory: French national Aurelien Cythere, 41, and Mark Anthony Sarayot, 42.

Two more kilos of shabu with a street value of P13.6 million were seized in the other house, located along Madrigal Avenue. A Canadian identified as Ariana Golesorkhi was arrested.

Pimentel said the suspects are reportedly linked to Mexican, Australian and Canadian drug cartels.

“We are currently investigating these links and several other drug personalities,” he said in a statement.

The suspects were under surveillance for one month before their capture, according to PDEA.

Pimentel said the suspects used a modified setup for manufacturing shabu to avoid being detected by the authorities.

“The shabu is mixed in liquid form, then washed with acetone. It’s practically an odorless process, which is probably why they were confident in doing it here in a residential area,” he said.

The suspects are being held on charges of violating Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.

Mayor Ruffy Biazon lauded the PDEA for the successful anti-drug operation in what he described as one of the most secure subdivisions in Muntinlupa.

Biazon urged residents of Ayala Alabang to heighten their vigilance and take proactive measures to guard their subdivision.

“This raid on a clandestine shabu lab right inside a supposedly serene and safe residential subdivision should be a wake-up call to its residents and community leaders that danger lurks within the confines of their community,” he said.