The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) discovered drug laboratories in several buildings in Bonifacio Global City (BGC) and Makati City in simultaneous raids Wednesday, resulting in the arrest of four people. Atty. Ruel Lasala, NBI deputy director for investigative services and head of the bureau's anti-illegal drugs task force, said two Filipinos who are Canadian citizens, identified as Barris Padilla and Christian Olazo, were arrested in their rented unit at The Luxe Residences, located at the corner of 28th Street and 4th Avenue of BGC. The Luxe Residences is described on its website as "a modern luxury high-rise apartment tower" whose residents "include foreign dignitaries and top executives of multinational firms." Monthly rent starts from P72,000 for a 1-bedroom unit to P211,000 for a 3-bedroom unit. The NBI discovered about P100 million worth of shabu (methamphetamine hydrochloride), cocaine, and "ecstasy" inside the tower's Unit 301. NBI personnel discovered blank capsules and equipment used in manufacturing and repacking of illegal drugs. The NBI said the equipment and the illegal drugs were from Mexico. The NBI said separate operations, sanctioned by a search warrant issued by a Makati Regional Trial Court, were also held in two condominium units in Serendra and another two in Makati. The amount of drugs discovered in The Luxe Residences was the biggest among the five areas raided by the NBI where a Canadian-Mexican-Iranian and a Filipino were arrested. - Umagang Kay Ganda, 15 January 2014
