The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has seized some P5.7 million worth of methamphetamine hydrochloride, commonly known as shabu in a shipment declared as “dress buttons”.
The contraband arrived on Feb. 14 from Harare, Zimbabwe, and was subjected to K9 sniffing and X-ray scanning procedures.
A physical examination of the shipment revealed 838.6825 grams of white crystalline substances inside 255 dress buttons and in the side walls of the carton box.
Samples were then taken to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) for chemical laboratory analysis, which confirmed the presence of Methamphetamine Hydrochloride or Shabu, a dangerous drug under the Republic Act (R.A.) No. 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
The shipment was immediately confiscated in violation of Sections 118 (g), 119 (d), and 1113 par. f, i & l (3 & 4) of R.A. No. 10863 in relation to Section 4 of R.A. No. 9165.
Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio vowed to stop the entry of illegal drugs into the country under the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. as he ordered the bureau to reinforce anti-illegal drug measures.
“With the enhanced measures that we are currently implementing, we will not let these illegal drugs enter our borders and reach the public,” Rubio said.
“The Bureau of Customs continues its commitment in curbing illegal drug smuggling, and we aim to prevent all attempts of illicit importations,” he added.
