THE Bureau of Customs (BOC)-Port of Clark recently intercepted P3.4 million worth of shabu from a shipment declared to contain “Diaper Bags” from Incheon, South Korea.
The operation was conducted by the BOC Port personnel, in coordination with the Customs Anti-Illegal Drugs Task Force (CAIDTF), Enforcement Security Service (ESS), Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS), X-ray Inspection Project (XIP), and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).
The shipment was subjected to x-ray scanning upon its arrival which revealed images of organic substances that prompted the conduct of a physical examination by BOC personnel.
This led to the discovery of five transparent self-sealing sachets of crystalline substances suspected to be shabu concealed inside the backpack and linings of the thermal bags.
A field testing was then conducted by the CAIDTF Clark and the samples were turned over to the PDEA for chemical laboratory analysis.
PDEA confirmed that the said powdered substance is methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu, a dangerous drug under Republic Act (RA) No. 9165.
A Warrant of Seizure and Detention was issued by District Collector Alexandra Lumontad against the subject shipment for violation of Sections 118 (g), 119 (d), and 1113 (f) of R.A. No. 10863 in relation to Section 4 of RA No. 9165 or otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
Commissioner Rey Leonardo B. Guerrero said BOC is committed to securing the borders against the entry of illegal drugs.
The BOC-Port of Clark stated that it is continuously reinforcing its profiling capabilities and strengthening its coordination with the PDEA.
Through these efforts, there has already been a significant increase in the port’s successful drug interdictions this year.