Customs files charges vs Filipino caught with P56-M shabu

MANILA -- The Bureau of Customs (BOC) filed Thursday formal charges before the Department of Justice (DOJ) against a returning Filipino from Hong Kong caught for possessing P56-million worth of shabu.

Roendo B. Ariata is now facing charges for violation of Section 3601 and Section 2530 of the Tariffs and Customs Code of the Philippines (TCCP) including the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, Customs Commissioner Ruffy Biazon said.
 
According to Biazon, Ariata arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2 via Philippine Airlines flight PR 307 on January 8, 2013.

Airport customs officials discovered that the illegal drugs weighing 7.0486 kilograms were concealed in seven rectangular boxes labeled "Gold Premium Milk" and stuffed in Ariata's luggage. 

"We have now doubled our efforts in the monitoring of arriving passengers, especially those coming from high risk countries for illegal drugs, after we have seen a shift in the modus of international drug traffickers," Biazon said. "They are now using the airports for their illegal drug trade through drug mules." 
 
The BOC, during the third quarter of 2012 alone, confiscated over 20 kilos of shabu from seven foreign nationals worth over P163 million. All have already been charged by the BOC at the DOJ for violation of the TCCP and the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
 
"I have said it once and I will say it once again. The Bureau of Customs will never allow any international drug trafficking syndicate to make the Philippines as a transhipment point for their illegal drugs, much more make the Philippines as one of their markets," Biazon said.

"Customs officials will, at all times, be on the watch for illegal drugs smuggling attempts and we will not hesitate to prosecute all those involved it," he added. (SDR/Sunnex)