SNACKS OR DRUGS? Authorities arrest a consignee after intercepting a parcel containing shabu worth PHP89 million declared as snacks during a controlled delivery operation in Las Piñas City on Jan. 11, 2023. The package came from Nigeria. (Photo from BOC-NAIA)
MANILA – Government agents headed by the Bureau of Customs (BOC) have arrested a consignee after the interception of a shipment declared as "snacks" but instead contain shabu with an estimated street value of PHP89.59 million.
In a statement, the BOC-Port of Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) said the controlled delivery operation was conducted in Las Piñas on January 11.
After physical examination of the parcel from Nigeria, it revealed that it contained 3,175 grams of a white crystalline substance.
A Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) laboratory test confirmed that the substance was methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu.
The PDEA is conducting a custodial investigation of the arrested claimant for an eventual inquest proceeding for violation of Republic Act 9165, also known as the Anti-illegal Drugs Act, and RA 10863, also known as the Customs Modernization Act (CMTA).
The operation was conducted in coordination with the PDEA and the the NAIA Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group (NAIA-IADITG).
The BOC said the Port of NAIA, headed by District Collector Carmelita Talusan, is committed to protecting the country against the entry of illegal goods as directed by Customs Commissioner Yogi Filemon Ruiz. (PNA)
