The Bureau of Customs and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency arrested on Tuesday, May 17, the claimants of 1,200 grams of seized ketamine worth P6 million.
The BOC said the two ketamine shipments from Klang and Shah Alam, Malaysia arrived on April 30 and May 12, and were declared as “6 pcs water hilter water purifier” and as “sharp air purifier haze mood.”
A physical examination, which was conducted following an x-ray scan that revealed “organic substances,” showed 600 grams of crystalline substance concealed inside the purifier’s filter elements, as well as 600 grams of crystalline substance in four self-sealing aluminum foil concealed inside the air purifier.
Chemical laboratory analysis showed that the substance was ketamine, which is prohibited under Republic Act No. 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
District Collector Alexandra Lumontad issued the warrants of seizure and detention, which led to the arrest of three claimants, two of whom were Taiwanese nationals, in Makati City and Malate in Manila. – ag
