PDEG: Mindoro shabu lab could produce 1 ton weekly

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June 2, 2026 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — A shabu laboratory that could produce as much as one ton of methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu in one week was uncovered in Occidental Mindoro, the Philippine National Police Drug Enforcement Group said.

PDEG chief Brig. Gen. Elmer Ragay said the estimate was provided by experts from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), which participated in the operation that led to the discovery of the facility in Looc town.

“According to PDEA, if the facility operated continuously for one week, it could produce one ton of finished shabu,” Ragay said during a press briefing at Camp Crame.

The laboratory was raided on May 29 by members of the Philippine National Police offices in Calabarzon and Mimaropa regions, Maritime Group, Philippine Coast Guard and PDEG after securing a search warrant.

Two caretakers were arrested during the raid.

“The alleged boss of the two caretakers is a native of the area but frequently stays in Manila. We have already identified him and are pursuing all leads,” Ragay said.

Investigators are also tracing ownership of the property, which reportedly has no land title.

The raiding team recovered four industrial-sized drums containing chemical precursors and essential chemicals used in shabu production, along with laboratory equipment, large storage tanks and a generator set.

Ragay said some equipment remained at the site because of its size, pending an ocular inspection by a judge.

The recovered substances and other pieces of evidence were turned over to PDEA headquarters on Saturday, where laboratory tests confirmed their links to illegal drug manufacturing.

Criminal charges were expected to be filed before a court in Mamburao, Occidental Mindoro.

The discovery is the latest in a string of anti-drug operations in Mindoro that authorities believe may be linked.

Ragay cited the March 10 recovery of around 680 kilos of suspected shabu from a speedboat that ran aground, the May 4 arrest of two Filipinos and two Chinese in connection with illegal drugs, and the recent discovery of drug-related items in Puerto Galera allegedly linked to Chinese suspects.