A total of 21.215 kilos of shabu with an estimated street value of P144,262,000 were seized from a South African traveler as part of the Bureau of Customs’ (BOC) strengthened anti-illegal drug campaign.
The BOC- Port of NAIA, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and NAIA Inter-agency Anti-Illegal Drugs Task Group intercepted the shipment of methamphetamine hydrochloride, commonly known as shabu and arrested the carrying passenger on August 19, 2022, at Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Pasay City.
With advance intelligence information, BOC-NAIA and PDEA jointly monitored the arrival of the identified traveler at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).
The said traveler arrived from Doha, Qatar and South Africa as port of origin. Upon arrival, the traveler’s luggage was subjected to K9 and x-ray scanning and 100 percent physical examination.
The arrested traveler was later identified as a South African and placed under custodial investigation by PDEA and eventual inquest for violation of RA 9165, or the Comprehensive Drug Act and RA 10863 also known as the Customs Modernization And Tariff Act (CMTA).
Bureau of Customs Commissioner Yogi Filemon Ruiz said they are committed to protect the country against entry of illegal goods.
BOC-NAIA ‘s team headed by District Collector Mimel Talusan also said they will remain committed to the mandate of protecting the country’s borders and shall continue their active collaboration and coordination with partner agencies. (Baby Cuevas)
