Over P200-M shabu seized in NAIA — BOC

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) seized over P200 million worth of shabu declared as machinery mufflers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

In a statement on Thursday, the BOC said the seizure of P218.48-million worth of shabu resulted from information based on a “highly placed intelligence report.”

Customs personnel at NAIA intercepted a parcel containing approximately 32 kilograms of shabu at a warehouse within the NAIA complex on Wednesday.

The shipment arrived from Zimbabwe on April 13 and was initially declared as a “machinery mufflers.”

The BOC said its intelligence division profiled the shipment after receiving a report.

“Our Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) at NAIA verified the information we received. After which, we tasked the X-ray Inspection Project (XIP) to inspect the dubious images that were then found to be suspicious,” said BOC Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio.

“The examination of the shipment and K-9 sweeping discovered what was described as white crystalline substances hidden inside the mufflers. The initial test conducted on these substances yielded a positive result for the presence of methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu,” added Rubio.

For his part, CIIS Director Verne Enciso said the operation was in line with the President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to intensify the BOC’s anti-drugs smuggling campaign “by using our massive international and local networks to determine the source of the illegal drugs trade.”

The latest Customs operation came after the President led the inspection of more than two tons of shabu worth P13.3 billion that was seized in Batangas.

Likewise, BOC Deputy Commissioner for Intelligence Group Juvymax Uy stressed the importance of intelligence gathering in the agency’s operations.

“Key to stopping these shipments is our ability to collect intelligence and the experience and knowledge that our officers have gathered over the years. Our officers are well-trained to identify these shipments that might contain potentially dangerous substances to protect our people,” said Uy.

The BOC said the shabu seizure was done in coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), and NAIA Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group (NAIA-IADITG).

Customs said the consignee was arrested and appropriate charges will be filed for violation of the Customs Modernization Tariff Act and Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.

“We continue our drive to combat illegal drugs entering our country, in line with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to prevent its proliferation to the detriment of our countrymen. This seizure showcases our intensified efforts and dedication,” said Rubio.—RF, GMA Integrated News