The Bureau of Customs chief Isidro Lapeña on Wednesday leads the turn over to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) the suspect and the approximately 3.5 kilos of shabu or methamphetamine hydrochloride worth more or less P17.5 million seized at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
The suspects, Francis Melvin Feliciano, 26, and Raquel Kilario Dela Cruz, were nabbed after claiming the package at FedEx by presenting a fake ID of a certain Michael Espino Cruz.
The shipment sent by Jason Lee of 340 E 1st, California, USA was declared to contain toys but was found to contain a mass of white crystalline substance after customs examiners conducted 100% physical examination.
“The suspicious image shown during x-ray inspection prompted the 100% physical examination. The matter was referred to the Customs Anti-Illegal Drugs Task Force for initial drug test which resulted positive for methamphetamine,” Commissioner Isidro Lapeña said.
The Customs chief said it was consigned to Michael Espino Cruz with address at 121-C Kowloon St. BF Homes, Paranaque.
The package which contains 3.5 kilos of shabu was found in FedEx warehouse in PAL/PSI building in the afternoon of December 11.
The illegal drugs and the suspects are now in the custody of PDEA for further investigation.
Meanwhile, P57.5 million worth of shabu seized in separate occasions by the BOC was turned over to PDEA on December 12.
Two shipments also declared as toys were consigned to a certain Rogelio Almodiel, 41, of 11 North Stamford Residence Tower, Upper Mckinley Road corner Florence, Taguig City and Hasmine Erquiza with an address at 32 St. Vicente, Villa España Subdivision, Barangay Tatalon, Quezon City respectively.
The packages which came from USA contained 11.5 kilos of shabu worth P57.5 million.
Another attempt to smuggle illegal drugs was foiled by the BOC-NAIA after apprehending a Colombian drug mule, Alberto Pedroza Quijano, who swallowed 79 rubber pallets of cocaine.
The 1,172.168 grams of cocaine was estimated to be worth P8.8 million.
“The series of operations here in NAIA is a result of our intensified drive against the smuggling of illegal drugs. I have directed all BOC-NAIA personnel to be on guard as the cases of drug smuggling may be alarming and rampant again,” NAIA District Collector Ramon Anquilan said. | BOC-PR
