A single mom was arrested after claiming a parcel from New Delhi, India that arrived last March 20, 2023 at the Central Mail Exchange Center (CMEC) Ninoy Aquino International Airport complex, declared as “universal engine” containing 514 grams of methamphetamine hydrochloride or better known as shabu valued at P3, 495,200 when examined.
Customs officials and the NAIA- Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group (IADITG) arrested the claimant and consignee who presented herself as Ashley Alonzo but later on admitted that she was Catherine Amatiaga, 42 and a single mom residing at Brgy. Krus na Ligas in Quezon City.
The task group conducted anti-illegal drug interdiction operation at the CMEC warehouse last Thursday, March 23 and found a parcel from India declared as “universal engine” containing some four transparent plastic wrapped with blue carbon paper and transparent tape concealed in a hollow part of a metal pulley after it underwent X-ray scanning.
The said parcel underwent physical examination conducted by customs examiner in the presence of the consignee, representatives from X-ray Inspection Project (XIP), Customs Anti-Illegal Drug Task Force (CAIDTF), Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS), Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and Enforcement Security Service (ESS) and field test resulted to positive reactions.
The claimant was arrested for violation of RA 9165, or the Comprehensive Drug Act and RA 10863 also known as the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA). (JERRY S. TAN)
