HOW TO SPOT SECRET SHABU LABS

MORE agents from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and Philippine
National Police are undergoing training to spot secret shabu laboratories
in the country with the help of the United States government, PDEA chairman
Anselmo S. Avenido Jr. said yesterday.

Two such trainings were held recently ` the International Chemical Control
Seminar and the Clandestine Laboratory Site Seminar sponsored jointly by
PDEA and the United States Drug Enforcement Administration.

"The seminars aim to hone the skills of anti-drug personnel on how to
counteract and investigate the diversion of controlled precursors and
essential chemicals and also to develop and improve the capabilities of
PDEA and other anti-drug personnel in dismantling shabu laboratories
particularly in securing the site and documenting pieces of evidence,"
Avenido said.

American agents led by US DEA Manila Country Office attache Timothy C. Teal
delivered lectures during the two training programs.

Among the topics discussed were indicators on the likely presence of shabu
labs or warehouses which are often located in highly-populated residential
areas as well as secluded places. The laboratories are usually buildings
with high fences and gates, are uninhabited most of the time and leased
over a short-term period, usually from eight months to one year.

In addition, the lessee is not the occupant of the rented warehouses/labs
which keep inferior quality imported items that serve as a front. Most of
the time, only a handful of laborers, mostly Chinese-looking, can be seen
inside the premises. The buildings also emit nauseating odors due to the
highly-toxic chemicals being processed inside, also resulting in corroded
roofs and stained walls due to chemical burns.

Avenido said the seminars also served as venues for networking among the
participants apart from enhancing the exchange of information and expertise
in the field of drug law enforcement to address regional, international and
global concerns on illegal drugs.

The government's crackdown on illegal drug trafficking and abuse
spearheaded by the PDEA has resulted in the dismantling of more than 20
secret shabu laboratories and warehouses since 2001 and the seizure of
billions of pesos worth of dangerous drugs, controlled precursors and
essential chemicals and lab equipment.