BOC intercepts P34.8M worth of shabu, ecstasy at NAIA, Clark
The Bureau of Customs (BOC) intercepted a total of P34.8 million worth of shabu and ecstasy in back-to-back anti-drug operations at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and Port of Clark.
In a news release, the BOC said its operatives at NAIA confiscated 4,368 grams of methamphetamine hydrochloride, or shabu, from the luggage of a passenger arriving from Malaysia last June 14.
The shabu seized was valued at P29.7 million. The illegal drugs were discovered during routine baggage screening using x-ray scanners, K-9 inspection, and a physical search.
The suspect was immediately taken into custody, according to the BOC.
On June 4, the BOC said its operatives at the Port of Clark also foiled an attempt to smuggle 3,004 ecstasy tablets disguised as 'animal food' from Paris, France.
In an attempt to evade x-ray detection, the ecstasy tablets worth P5.1 million were hidden inside pouches concealed in dog food pellets.
The Customs said all the confiscated narcotics were turned over to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) for case build-up.
The suspects involved in the drug smuggling attempt are facing charges of violating Republic Act No. 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act and Republic Act No. 10863 or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act, according to the BOC.
'These interceptions prove the strength of unified law enforcement,' said Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio. 'Every successful seizure at the border is one less threat to our communities. With the President's vision as our guide, we will remain relentless,' said Rubio.
The BOC said it continues to scale up anti-smuggling efforts through tighter screening, better intelligence sharing, and rapid inter-agency coordination. —Ted Cordero/RF, GMA Integrated News
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