17 Signs to Spot Backyard Drugs Lab in your Community – PDEA

The presence of illegal drugs in a community is very alarming. A person under the influence of illegal drugs can do harmful things to the people around him including his self. The Philippine government has been firm in fighting illegal drugs.

Although a number of believed drug laboratories have been identified and raid by the Philippine police, some are still existing and operating. 

With an objective to promote public interest, raise awareness regarding the risks and dangers of shabu laboratories, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) has provided a list that indicates possible presence of a clandestine laboratory used in the manufacturing of illegal drugs in an area.

According to PDEA Director Isidro S. Lapeña the list also aims to seek support from the public in finding these illegal facilities.

The following are the tell-tale signs to look out for that a clandestine shabu laboratory is likely operating in your neighborhood:

a. Presence of large water tanks;

b.Thick electrical wires for houses or facilities which should
have normal-sized wires;

c. Laboratory materials surrounding the properties like empty
chemical bottles, drums and other types of chemical containers;

d. Specially-constructed chimney or ventilation fan which run for
extended hours to get rid of strong odors;

e.Strong chemical odors (solvent-like) coming from the facility;

f. Persons in the premises seldom come out but they do come out to
smoke, to avoid igniting highly explosive chemicals inside;

g.Excessive or irregular water waste coming out of the premises;

h. Presence of waste chemicals;

i. Discarded materials used to store chemicals;

j. Residents who burn their trash instead of discarding them;

k.Use of security cameras;

l.  dd locks and bars on windows

m. Heavy security like the presence of watch dogs, high fences and barb wires;

n. Every opening of the facility is covered or tinted;

o. Persons going about their business at odd hours;

p. No traffic during daytime, but traffic at wee hours; and

q. Frequent visitors with expensive cars.

According to Lapeña “The public should watch out for these 17 tell-tale signs showing the existence of a shabu laboratory in their neighborhood. You might be living near or next to one but unaware of it”.
PDEA encourages the citizenry to report suspected illegal drug activities and presence of a clandestine laboratory in their community by texting PDEA 24/7 SMS/Text Center’s numbers: For SMART subscribers, 09998887332.  Globe and Sun Cellular subscribers may use the number 09279150616 and 09255737332, respectively, or by calling mobile number 09393960627 and landline numbers (02) 920-0735 and (02) 920-0736. (PDEA)