SEIZED. Boxes containing suspected shabu were seized through the joint operations of the National Bureau of Investigations, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, Bureau of Customs, and the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency in a warehouse in Mexico, Pampanga on Sept. 24, 2023. Justice Secretary Jesus Remulla said some 530 kilos of suspected illegal drugs, with a street value of more or less PHP3.6 billion, arrived in the country through Port of Subic last Sept. 18. (Photo from DOJ spokesman Mico Clavano)
MANILA – Some 530 kilos of suspected shabu worth PHP3.6 billion have been seized from a warehouse in Mexico town in Pampanga, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin C. Remulla said on Thursday.
Remulla said the shipment came from Thailand and has been mixed with other products such as pork rinds and dog food. It arrived in the country through Port of Subic on Sept. 18.
The confiscated illegal drugs are the highest seized under President Marcos administration, the Secretary added.
He said the smugglers have “very sophisticated” methodology, which he declined to elaborate, and this prevented the detection even by drug-sniffing dogs.
“I do not want to reveal anything yet but even when it comes to K9, the K9 was even not as effective. Perhaps we have to retrain some of our K9 to be able to be more sophisticated in trying to smell the drugs,” the Secretary said.
The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said the raid at a warehouse in Purok 5, San Jose Malino, Mexico City, Pampanga last September 24 was conducted in close coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, Bureau of Customs, and the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency.
Seized were 59 brown boxes containing 530 mixed red tea bags and golden tea bags containing suspected shabu. (PNA)
