Airport Customs authorities have seized some 17.96 kilos of methamphetamine crystal, or shabu, and a kilogram of dried marijuana leaves worth P133.6 million within two weeks from May 26 to June 7.
Customs Commissioner Isidro S. Lapeña presented the seized items to the media on Monday, revealing that the seized drugs came from the United States via bonded warehouses.
The marijuana found in several parcels are declared as DVD players, furniture and cereals, and were intercepted by Customs agents at a Fedex warehouse.
Lapeña identified the senders as Taylor Dizion, of Eagler Po Box Rental; Gina Gamboa, Raven Mesina and Donna Mendoza. The items were consigned to a certain Christina Dizon, Alvin Santiago, Sergio Gamboa Natividad, Gracen Washington and Ricardo Mendoza.
The Customs agents waited for the parcels to be claimed, but Lapeña said the operations was not successful because it appears that the names and addresses of the consignees are fictitious.
The shabu valued at P133.6 million were seized on June 20 at the Port of Clark.
Lapeña said that he had signed a memorandum order addressed to all Customs district collectors nationwide to examine all hand-carry luggage of arriving passengers in a bid to curb smuggling of drugs and taxable items.
“I am also discouraging the meet and assists or salubong system at the airport,” Lapeña added.
