A JOINT operation by the Bureau of Customs Manila International Container Port-Intelligence and Investigation Service (BOC MICP-CIIS), the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) on midnight of Friday, November 18, seized an estimated P136 million worth of methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu in a suspected laboratory in Ayala Alabang Village, Muntinlupa City that also led to the arrest of two individuals.

A raid in another house in the same exclusive village also yielded P13.6 million worth of more or less two kilograms of shabu and the arrest of three personalities.

PDEA Assistant Secretary and officer-in-charge Gregorio R. Pimentel, who personally led the operation, said that the operation stemmed from derogatory information received that there are foreign nationals allegedly being involved of smuggling shabu and cocaine to Australia.

Customs Commissioner Yogi Filemon Ruiz added that joint elements from different government agencies coordinated for the pursuant and implementation of the search warrants issued by Executive Judge Myra B. Quiambao of Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court against the premises located at 304 Mabolo Street and 523 Madrigal Avenue both in Ayala Alabang Village, Muntinlupa City.

The warrant on 304 Mabolo Street resulted in the arrest of Aurélien Cythere, 41, French national, divorced, unemployed, and living in the same address, as well as Mark Anthony Sayarot, 42, single, businessman, and residing at 23 Cabbage Street, Valley 5, Brgy. Ugong, Pasig City.

The agents confiscated several pieces of evidence, which included more or less 20 kilograms of suspected shabu worth P136 million, various Controlled Precursors and Essential Chemicals (CPECs) and laboratory equipment, several ID cards, three mobile phones, and assorted financial documents.

Furthermore, another operation held on the same day at 523 Madrigal Avenue, Ayala-Alabang Village led to the capture of Ariana Golesorkhi, 33, Canadian national, businessman; Audemar Ponsica, 31, driver; and Welmar Laban, 37, helper.

The composite team also seized two self-sealing plastic bag with more or less two kilograms of suspected shabu worth P13.6 million, UV drying machine, Fujidenzo chest freezer, hot and cold pipes, water pump tube, assorted ID cards and credit cards, assorted financial documents, passport, and several units of mobile phones.

“This group used a modified setup for manufacturing shabu. The shabu is mixed in liquid form, then washed with acetone. It’s practically an odorless process, which is probably why they were confident in doing it here in a residential area,” Pimentel said.

“These suspects are linked to Mexican, Australian and Canadian drug trafficking groups. We are currently investigating these links and several other drug personalities,” he added.

Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) Director Jeoffrey Tacio and PDEA Director Adrian Alvarino are continuously coordinating after the successful anti-drug operation.

While further information is still being gathered, the seized pieces of evidence were turned over to the PDEA Laboratory Service for qualitative and quantitative examination and for the filing of appropriate charges against the arrested individuals.

Prior to the operation, Customs Deputy Commissioner retired Maj. Gen. Juvymax Uy said that the BOC and PDEA formed a Joint-Operation against illicit drugs and suspected individuals who were reported to have been into smuggling activity of shabu and cocaine to Australia on June 16, 2022.

They also held a series of meetings to share information.

“I consider this a successful first step in bringing these perpetrators to justice and for them to face the full extent of the law. We’ve been after these groups for as long as I can remember. Even before I joined BOC, the agency has been after these smugglers of illegal drugs,” he shared.

“But while the agency does its very best, we can’t deny that many of these continue to circumvent our laws and enter our borders. With my arrival here, my goal is to maximize the potentials of our collaborative efforts and work harder to stop the menace of illegal drugs,” Uy added.

Ruiz also cited the heightened border protection efforts that are at the core of the agency’s role under the Marcos administration.

“We are working continually to strengthen our collaborative efforts with other partner agencies to end the smuggling of illegal drugs and all other products into the country,” he said.