Bureau of Customs (BOC) agents have seized P3.9 million worth of shabu and smuggled cigarettes in separate operations in Polomolok, South Cotabato and in Clark, Pampanga.
The operations were carried out in close coordination with the BOC’s Intelligence Investigation Service (CIIS) and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) of the Philippine National Police (PNP).
The smuggled cigarettes were confiscated during an entrapment operation conducted under CIDG’s Flagship Project, “Oplan Mega Shopper” which aims to combat smuggling, manufacturing, distribution, and trading of counterfeited products. Appropriate criminal charges were being prepared against the suspects.
Meanwhile, the Bureau of Customs-Port of Clark, in coordination with Customs Anti-Illegal Drugs Task Force (CAIDTF) and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Region III, arrested the claimant of the seized shipment containing P3.160 million worth of shabu in Makati City.
The BOC discovered the illegal drugs through profiling made by Customs personnel in a shipment declared as “two slice bread toaster” from Pennsylvania, USA.
“Customs examiner conducted a physical examination of the shipment which led to the discovery of four pouches of white crystalline substances weighing 458 grams concealed inside two bread toasters,” the BOC said in a statement.
Samples were turned over to the PDEA for chemical laboratory analysis which was later confirmed as Methamphetamine Hydrochloride or commonly known as “Shabu”, a dangerous drug under the Republic Act (RA) No. 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
“The series of illegal drug apprehensions in Clark is proof that the Bureau of Customs’ is firm with its mission.
Rest assured that we will continuously enhance border security measures and we are doing our best in the frontline to curb smuggling,” Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio said.
The agents used a controlled delivery scheme in their operation in Makati City to arrest the consignee of the smuggled shipment of shabu worth P3.16 million.
A composite team from the Bureau of Customs, Customs Anti-Illegal Drugs Task Force (CAIDTF) and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency conducted the operation following the discovery of 458 grams of the prohibited substance in the package declared as “two slice bread toaster” from Pennsylvania, USA.
The BOC coordinated with PDEA and CAIDTF to organize the entrapment to apprehend the consignee and the owner of the controlled shipment.
The authorities supervised the transport of the package all the way to Makati, resulting in the arrest of the 29-year old claimant.
The controlled delivery technic is being used when a consignment of illicit drugs is detected and allowed to go forward under the control and surveillance of law enforcement officers in order to secure evidence against the organizers of such illicit drug traffic.
Charges of violating the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act (Republic Act 9165) in relation to Sections 118 (Prohibited Importation), 1113 (Goods Liable for Seizure and Forfeiture) and 1401 (Unlawful Importation) of the Republic Act 10863, otherwise known as the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA) will be filed against the claimant.
Rubio commended his men for their latest accomplishments. He also praised the men from PDEA for successfully conducting the anti-drugs controlled delivery operation.
Customs operatives recently intercepted a Canadian drug mule who was caught with a baggage containing shabu worth more than P48 million at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
A 20-year old man was also arrested by the bureau after he claimed a package of smuggled shipment of cannabis oil worth P3.9 million at the Central Mail Exchange Center in Pasay City.
“The series of illegal drug apprehensions is proof that the Bureau of Customs’ is firm with its mission. Rest assured that we will continuously enhance border security measures and we are doing our best in the frontline to curb smuggling,” said Rubio.