By Rea Cu, February 13 2019; Business Mirror
https://businessmirror.com.ph/2019/02/13/customs-turns-over-p90-million-shabu-to-pdea/
Image Credit to Rappler
The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has turned over an estimated P90 million worth of methamphetamine hydrochloride, or shabu, seized at the Port of Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) on Tuesday.
In a news statement, the BOC-Port of Naia reported that it has turned over a shipment misdeclared as “muffler” parts after it was found to contain 13.1 kilograms of shabu to the PDEA on Tuesday.
The shipment was reported to have come from West Covina, California, and was seized on January 23, 2019.
The examination yielded 26 packages of shabu with an estimated street value of P90 million concealed inside three mufflers. It was also revealed that the subject parcel has a declared value of $500.
The shipment arrived at the DHL Warehouse under airway bill 4223900144.
The seizure of the shipment was made in coordination with Customs Anti-Illegal Drugs Task Force, BOC-Enforcement and Security Service, Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service, BOC-Xray Inspection Project, PDEA and the Naia Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group.
Further profiling and case buildup are being undertaken by PDEA for the institution of corresponding criminal case against the consignee and his cohorts.
The BOC stressed that the recent apprehension “clearly manifests the unwavering commitment of the BOC to guard the country’s border against attempts to smuggle in dangerous drugs and other anti-social goods, in addition to its revenue-collection efforts.”
Customs Naia assured the public that its officers are proactive, diligent and committed in protecting the Philippine borders.
Earlier this month, the BOC expressed confidence that it will be able to hit its 2019 revenue-collection target of P662 billion, on the back of its implementation of its 10-point priority program.
Customs Commissioner Rey Leonardo B. Guerrero expressed confidence that the bureau will be able to hit its target for this year, as reforms are further being implemented in the BOC, which is reinforced by his 10-point priority program.
The goal for this year is higher by around 13 percent compared to last year’s goal of P584.881-billion ceiling.