NABBED. An unnamed claimant of over PHP3 million worth of shabu shipment faces authorities during a controlled delivery operation in Makati City on Wednesday (July 5, 2023). He was arrested by the joint operations of the Bureau of Customs-Port of Clark and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency. (Photo courtesy of Bureau of Customs)
MANILA – The Bureau of Customs (BOC)-Port of Clark on Friday reported the arrest of a 29-year-old claimant of PHP3.16 million worth of shabu shipment in Makati.
In a report, the BOC-Port of Clark said it uncovered four pouches of shabu weighing 458 grams last July 5 after a shipment from Pennsylvania, United States was subjected to the process of profiling, X-ray scanning, K-9 inspection and physical examination.
It said the shipment was misdeclared as two bread toasters.
BOC Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio said a controlled delivery operation was conducted as part of the customs' intensified campaign against illegal drug smuggling.
“Through the effort of our personnel and the support of PDEA (Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency), we successfully arrested the claimant of this shipment," he said in a statement.
"As we continue to implement stricter measures and amplify our vigilance, expect that various modus operandi of smugglers will not slide under our watch,” he added.
The arrested claimant faces charges for violation of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act in relation to the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
On Wednesday, the BOC-Port of Clark also announced an earlier seizure of PHP4.24 million worth of illegal drugs which was similarly misdeclared as "two bread toasters." The shipment came from Arizona, United States.
Rubio highlighted Clark's efforts to ensure the continuous implementation of strict border measures to combat attempts of illegal drug entry. (PNA)
