Two (2) shipments containing 11.5 kilograms of methamphetamine hydrochloride worth P57.5 million were seized by the Bureau of Customs on separate occasions at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
The shipments declared as toys, warehoused at Fedex in PAL/PSI building, obtained a suspicious x-ray image different from the declared content of the package, prompted the physical examination.
Customs-NAIA Examiner found a mass of white crystalline substance concealed in multiple layers of plastics which reacted positive for methamphetamine hydrochloride or ‘shabu’.
The first 6-kilogram package of shabu, declared under informal entry number 255056 and airway BL 78855477599, was apprehended on November 29. It was consigned to Rogelio Almodiel, 41 years old from 11 North Stamford Residence Tower Upper Mckinley Road Corner Florence, Taguig City.
On December 1, BOC agents found another package containing 5.5-kilogram of shabu . The receiver was identified as Hasmine Erquiza with an address at #32 St. Vicente Villa España Subdivision, Brgy. Tatalon, Quezon City.
Both shipments came from Tyler Wilson with an address at 4313 Sepulveda Blvd., Culver City, California.
The packages containing illegal drugs were turned over to the proper custody, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), for safekeeping.
In a separate operation, the BOC and the elements of the NAIA Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group (IADITG) nabbed a Colombian drug mule on November 12.
Alberto Pedroza Quijano, 67, was arrested for swallowing 79 elongated rubber pellets containing cocaine worth P8.8 million.
“There was a tip from the US Homeland Security Investigation that an incoming passenger of Emirates Airlines flight EK 332 would be bringing in illegal drugs,” Commissioner Isidro Lapena said.
Customs examiners inspected his baggage and found no traces of drugs, however, the suspect complained of stomach ache and was immediately brought by NAIA-IADITG to the Pasay General Hospital.
The x-ray examination led to the discovery of the 1,172.168 grams of white powdery substance concealed in 79 rubber pellets inside Quijano’s stomach.
Commissioner Lapena said the drugs are now in the custody of PDEA while Quijano was brought to Department of Justice for inquest proceedings.
Cases for violation of Republic Act 9165 and Section 118(c) and 119(g) of Republic Act 10863 or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act, will be filed on the court against the suspects. (BOC-PR)
