The Bureau of Customs (BOC) and the Port of Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) on Thursday turned over more than P15.4 million worth of illegal drugs to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in line with the bureau’s drive to stop all forms of smuggling in all ports in the country.
Customs Commissioner Isidro S. Lapeña and Port of Naia District Collector Carmelita Talusan turned over the seized illegal drugs worth an estimated P15.4 million to the PDEA.
“The interception of the seized illegal drugs would not be made possible without the profiling skills of customs examiners, the Customs Anti-Illegal Drug Task Force, BOC-Naia, X-ray Inspection Project and the PDEA,” Lapeña said.
The seized illegal drugs include over 2.21 kilograms of methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu, as well as 48 oil ampules and 12 pieces of small plastic container with jelly marmalade containing cannabis or marijuana content.
Several boxes of valium and mogadon were also seized by the BOC at the port of Naia. The drugs were concealed in five packages that arrived at the Central Mail Exchange Center and FedEx warehouse in separate dates.
According to the BOC, the seized shabu is estimated to have a street value of P14 million, while the valium and mogadon tablets around P1.496 million. The value of the marijuana is yet to be determined.
The illegal drugs were reported to have come from Thailand, the US, Africa and Pakistan, which were hidden in packages filled with foot and calf massager, religious frame, letter, boxing gloves and baseball jersey, and clothes.
Lapeña pointed out that the consignees were identified as Melinda Dacallos of Caloocan City, Joseph Manialac of Angeles City, Logy Ramirez of Batao, Ilocos Norte, Edward dela Rosa of Las Pinas City, and Rico Delicano of Cotabato City, with the packages sent by Naphet Inhin, Kaggwa Godfrey, Gino Zerimar, and Muhammad Sajid Raza.
“The Port of Naia together with the Commissioner of Customs will unceasingly support the anti-drug campaign of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and will continue its vigilance in protecting the borders,” Talusan added.
She directed all officers to be vigilant in profiling documents and subject all to X-ray and physical examination of all targeted goods.
The drugs are now in the custody of PDEA for further investigation and disposition.