PDEA 7 Probes presence of Shabu Lab in Cebu After Seizure of ‘Yellow Shabu’

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) 7 on Saturday said they are investigating the possible presence of a shabu laboratory in Cebu after the seized “yellow shabu” (methamphetamine hydrochloride) for the first time.

PDEA 7 Director Yogi Filemon Ruiz said his agents on Thursday seized 305 grams of yellow shabu valued at Php 900,000 in two separate drug busts in Cebu City.

“It has now been very difficult for drug traders to bring in shabu to Cebu, so they thought of manufacturing it locally,” Ruiz said.

“This is the first time I saw a yellow shabu in Central Visayas. That kind of substance is more potent and more effective, and its price is basically the same as the white one,” he said.

Ruiz said they are conducting an investigation to find out where the yellow shabu came from.

“I could not say there are no shabu laboratories in Cebu. There must be those who attempt to manufacture shabu locally. It is now the challenge of PDEA to find out where these substances came from,” he said.

PDEA 7 agents seized the yellow during the operation in Barangay Duljo Fatima, Cebu City at 6:35 a.m. on Thursday.

In that operation, PDEA 7 operatives gunned down a call center agent, a suspected drug personality, who also just passed the criminology licensure exam.

The fatality, Niño Rodel Taboada, 21, reportedly tried to engage operatives in a shootout inside his relative’s house that Taboada allegedly operated as a “drug den,” Ruiz said.

The aspiring policeman suffered gunshot wounds in the chest, shoulder and neck.

Five other drug suspects, namely, Kendall Taboada, Juanito Pescadero, Jun Lasco, Riolito Abella and Michael Labra, were arrested during the operation that resulted in the seizure of 205 grams of yellow shabu worth Php 600,000.

Another suspect, identified as Danilo “Lolong” Rica, managed to escape.

Twenty-five minutes later, the PDEA 7 agents arrested Ria Mae Iñigo for allegedly selling 100 grams of yellow shabu worth Php 300,000 in her residence in Barangay Labangon, Cebu City.

Charges for violating Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, particularly for possession and selling of illegal drugs, will be filed against the arrested suspects before the Cebu City Prosecutor’s Office. (PNA)RMA/EB/RSM