Tanza: An explosion led to the discovery of a kitchen-type shabu laboratory in Tanza, Cavite, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) said Thursday.

According to Philippines News Agency, the blast rocked a residential compound at about 6 a.m. Tuesday, along Leon Fojas Street in Barangay Sahud-Ulan. Responding officers then found drug paraphernalia, equipment, and suspected chemicals inside the house. A search by PDEA and local police also resulted in the discovery of illegal drugs.

A manhunt is ongoing against four suspects - a Filipino woman, a Chinese-looking individual, and two Indonesians. The pieces of drug evidence recovered have been taken to the PDEA Laboratory for examination, while non-drug evidence is under the Philippine National Police Laboratory in Region 4-A (Calabarzon).

The PDEA stated the suspects would face charges for violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

In a related incident, a 24-year-old male drug courier was arrested in Caloocan City late Wednesday. National Capital Region Police Office chief Brig. Gen. Anthony Aberin said the suspect, alias Jonathan, was caught carrying PHP1.57 million worth of illegal drugs at a checkpoint by the Northern Police District in Barangay 171 at about 11:45 p.m. The suspect attempted to flee the checkpoint but was intercepted by police officers.

Seized from the suspect were 12 kg. of suspected marijuana, 60 pieces of suspected ecstasy tablets, 2 grams of suspected cocaine, and multiple bottles of suspected liquid marijuana. The suspect is under police custody and has been turned over for inquest proceedings before the Caloocan City Judicial Office for violations of the Revised Penal Code and RA 9165.