By CHITO A. CHAVEZ
The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) has urged the public to report any signs of clandestine shabu laboratory in their respective communities.
PDEA Director General Aaron N. Aquino said drug personalities have changed their schemes in producing illegal drugs, from the usual mountain and far flung settings to residential area.
Aquino said two successive dismantling of shabu and ecstacy laboratories in Hingoso Farm, Barangay Sto. Niño, Ibaan, Batangas and in the three-storey residence along Dela Cruz Street, Barangay Tinajeros, Malabon City last week is proving their point.
PDEA ensures the anonymity of the informant and the confidentiality of the information provided to counter fear which hinders the active participation of the citizenry in reporting,” said Aquino “The informants are given reward and incentive scheme designed to encourage the public to report illegal drugs activities in their community.”
The agency also listed following signs to look for to determine if a clandestine shabu laboratory is likely operating in the neighborhood like the sudden presence of individuals, either local or foreign nationals, in buildings or residence which are abandoned for a long period of time.
Residents should also suspect possible drug activities if there is presence of large water tanks, thick electrical wires for houses or facilities instead of normal-size wires and laboratory materials surrounding the property like empty chemical bottles, drums and other kind of chemical containers among others.
Specially-constructed chimney or ventilation fan which run for extended hours to remove strong odors is also a strong sign illegal drugs are being produced in the suspected establishment.
