By Stephanie Sevillano | Philippine News Agency
The Bureau of Customs (BOC) on Friday reported the seizure of P2.2 billion worth of illegal drugs at the Manila International Container Port (MICP).
This came following its joint operation with the Philippine National Police (PNP), Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, Philippine Coast Guard, and other law enforcement groups.
At a press conference, BOC Deputy Commissioner for Customs Intelligence Group Juvymax Uy said the shipment containing the illegal drugs arrived at the MICP as early as Feb. 24.
It was a shipment declared as jerky beef, consigned to a certain Salesbeat Within OPC from Mexico.
“This is an abandoned cargo… The customs is exerting efforts to find out some of the shipment of this subject consignee,” Uy said.
Uy said a cargo is deemed abandoned after 15 days and will be subjected to customs’ disposition, either by auction or condemnation.
Meanwhile, PNP Chief Benjamin Acorda Jr. said authorities discovered the shipment last Sept. 29 following a tip from PNP-Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon).
“We identified a container van, containing dangerous drugs, particularly shabu which was imported into the country. Coordination with the Bureau of Customs was immediately undertaken and the suspected cargo was found,” he said.
On Oct. 4, the shipment was subjected to X-ray inspection and physical examination which confirmed the presence of methamphetamine hydrochloride, also known as shabu, in laminated packs of jerky beef, carbon paper, gel, and aluminum paper.
In total, over 1,000 packs of shabu were discovered, weighing 323 kilograms. (PNA)
