Philippine police arrest 5 Taiwanese in drug lab

Philippine police say they have arrested five Taiwanese men who allegedly operated a clandestine laboratory that produced illegal methamphethamine hydrochloride.

Senior Superintendent Prudencio Tom Banas says about 20 kilograms (44 pounds) of suspected methamphethamine was found in a house where the Taiwanese were arrested Sunday in Paranaque city in the capital region. He says other chemicals used to make the drug were found in the two-story residence.

A Filipino caretaker told investigators the Taiwanese had rented the house for a year.

A police crackdown has led to the discovery of a number of illegal drug labs in residential enclaves, including an upscale area where top government officials live.