P149.6M worth of illegal drugs seized, 3 suspects nabbed in Muntinlupa 'shabu lab'

Authorities on Friday seized around P149.6 million worth of illegal drugs during a raid in an alleged shabu laboratory in Muntinlupa, according to a report of Bam Alegre on GMA News’ Unang Balita.

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) at 12:30 a.m. served search warrants in two houses in Ayala-Alabang Village which were allegedly used as improvised shabu laboratory, PDEA said in a report.

At the first house, authorities arrested French national Aurelien Cythere, supposedly the "chemist," and Filipino Mark Anthony Sarayot.

Trays filled with suspected shabu and equipment for its production were found inside the house, according to PDEA.

Authorities seized 20 kilograms of suspected shabu with a street value of around P136 million.

At a nearby house, another suspect identified as Canadian-Iranian Ariana Golesorkhi was also arrested.

Two kilograms of suspected shabu worth P13.6 million were found inside the house, according to authorities. There was no foul smell of chemicals in the area because the suspects used machines with new technology in cooking illegal drugs.

The two houses are being rented for around P300,000 and P70,000 per month, PDEA said.

PDEA officer-in-charge Assistant Secretary Gregorio Pimentel said the laboratory is linked to international drug syndicates.

“This group used a modified setup for manufacturing shabu. 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”, Pimentel said in a statement.

“These suspects are linked to Mexican, Australian, and Canadian drug trafficking groups. We are currently investigating these links and several other drug personalities,” he added.

Southern Police District director Police Brigadier General Kirby Kraft said the successful operation will be a “big setback” for the international drug trade.

The arrested suspects will face charges for violating the Sections 8, 11, and 12 of Article II of the Republic Act No. 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.—Joviland Rita/KBK/AOL, GMA Integrated News