THE suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride (shabu) recovered in a shipment that arrived at the Manila International Container Port has now totaled 320.184 kilograms, up from the initial estimate of around 200 to 250 kilograms, Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief General Benjamin Acorda Jr. announced on Friday, October 6, 2023.
In a press conference, Acorda said the recovered illegal drugs have an estimated street value of P2.19 billion.
“As a backgrounder, intelligence agents of the PNP Calabarzon passed information to PDEG (Police Drug Enforcement Group) and joint efforts to explore the information given in coordination with the PDEA (Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency) and PAOCC (Presidential Anti Organized Crime Committee),” Acorda said.
“As a result of this collaborative effort, we identified a container van allegedly containing dangerous drugs, particularly shabu, which was imported into the country. Coordination with BOC (Bureau of Customs) was immediately taken and the suspected cargo was found in Manila,” he added.
In a separate report from the PDEA, it was said that the shabu was concealed in laminated packaging labeled as Jerky Beef and Carne Seca.
The shipment was consigned to Salesbeat Within OPC, which, based on data from the Food and Drug Administration website, is registered as a food importer and wholesaler.
The company’s office is in San Juan City in Metro Manila.
Inventory and investigation are still ongoing. (SunStar Philippines)