Police bust marijuana lab in San Juan

September 20, 2019

Authorities discovered a marijuana cultivation room inside a condominium in San Juan last Thursday evening.


Police Major General Guillermo Eleazar. National Capitol Region Police chief, said elements from San Juan City Police Station and Eastern Police District implemented a search warrant at the fourth floor and roof deck of a condominium at Barangay Batis around 7:10 pm.


Eleazar said they considered this as one of the biggest marijuana laboratories since the one they discovered in Marikina City last 2018.


“Concerned citizens went to San Juan CPS to report that something is suspicious on the establishment after they see fertilizers and other plant materials so our police conducted surveillance and found plants which look similar to a marijuana plants,” Eleazar told reporters.


Eleazar added they were able to talk to some tenants which resulted in the PNP  applying for a search warrant.


“And we found out that this unit is converted to an indoor cultivated marijuana plantation,” he said.


Allegedly, a Chinese national identified as Aaron Huang is renting the entire 4th floor and the roof deck of the building from a certain Ming Uy who is believed owner of the condominium.

However, authorities did not found anyone during the operation.

Eleazar said based on their initial investigation, the tenants have been renting the place for almost seven months.


Aside from plants and equipment, police also found packed marijuana leaves which they believed ready to be sold.


“There is still a market (for marijuana)… maybe not as expensive as shabu but since we found something like this so for them it (marijuana) is still profitable,” said Eleazar.


He said the establishment owner will be held responsible if they cannot explain why an illegal activity is being done in their area.


“They can be included as respondents so it is much better if they cooperate,” he said.


The seized items and evidences were processed by the PNP Crime Laboratory.


A case for violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 will be filed against suspects Aaron Huang and Ming Uy.  Ella Dionisio/DMS