Saturday, February 23, 2008

Police Raid Zamboanga City Shabu Lab

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Feb. 23, 2008) - Anti-narcotics agents, backed by policemen, raided a suspected shabu laboratory on a remote village in Zamboanga City in southern Philippines, but no arrest was made.

Police said it was tracking down a Taiwanese man and his Filipino cohort who allegedly operate the laboratory in the village of Lamisahan. It was the first time that authorities have discovered a shabu laboratory in Zamboanga.

Shabu which is also known as methamphetamine hydrochloride is a clear, chunky form of crystals resembling ice and is sometimes referred to as "crystal" or glass" by drug users.

The drug releases high levels of stimulant dopamine that works on brain cells to activate body movement and elevate moods. When used regularly it has a neurological toxic effect and can damage brain cells.

Policemen raided the laboratory late Friday afternoon after villagers complained of obnoxious smell coming out from a compound thought by locals as a tire recapping factory. The compound was empty, police said.

"We have recovered plastic containers with chemicals believed used in manufacturing shabu, including a hydrogenation apparatus" one policeman said.

Zamboanga City Mayor Celso Lobregat also inspected the site and ordered police to investigate who was behind the illegal drug laboratory.

Superintendent Manuel Barcena, the city police chief, said the obnoxious smell from the laboratory and the contaminated water from a creek nearby gave away the illegal operation. "There was this report about that bad smell coming from the area and also the water from the creek smelled differently and that led to the discovery of the laboratory," he said. (Mindanao Examiner)

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