Shabu weighed 4 kilos: Chinese seized with P6M drugs

CEBU, Philippines - A 25-year-old female Chinese national was arrested around 11:30 a.m. yesterday at the arrival area of the Mactan-Cebu International Airport for carrying 11 packs of suspected shabu with an estimated value of P6 million in her suitcase.

After deplaning from Cathay Pacific Airways flight number CX 921 from Hong Kong to MCIA, Zhou Liming was put on hold by personnel of Bureau of Customs after passing the X-ray machine when they saw suspicious items in her suitcase, said MCIA general manager Nigel Villarete.

One of the BOC personnel then called the K-9 unit to assist them.

The on-duty dog at the time, Jellak, a Belgian malinois, reportedly flagged the blue-colored suitcase by sitting in front of it, according to the dog's handler K-9 Officer 1 Olibert Estillore.

Zhou was sent for questioning to the BOC, and when Rey Holganza, BOC Port of Cebu officer-in-charge, and Aviation Security Unit personnel examined the suitcase, they found eleven packs of suspected shabu weighing 4.05 kilos.

"Customs personnel in Mactan-Cebu (International Airport) are doing its job. We are watching every passenger that will come and visit the city. We welcome them but we don't welcome those who might think of bringing things like this," Holganza said.

Senior Superintendent Retchie Posadas, chief of AVSEU-7 said they will conduct further investigation of Zhou, after BOC turned her over to their custody.

An interpreter who requested anonymity said Zhou claimed she had no idea that there was shabu inside her suitcase. The interpreter further said Zhou came to Cebu last March and April.

Zhou was reportedly set to meet two Filipino companions — a male and a female — after she cleared Customs, according to Posadas.

"Kana maoy i-apil sa atong investigation, although naa siya'y information nga gisulti nato, ato i-confirm g'yud nga kung naa ba siya'y contact diri, apil 'tong alleged nga mosugat unta niya ganina," Posadas said.

The suspect claimed that she was ordered by her cousin to fly to Cebu but police have yet to determine the real reason behind her trip.

Posadas added they have yet to determine where the suspect will be detained.

Zhou, a nurse, is a native of Hunan Province in China. No one from the Chinese consular office came to the airport yet as of last night. — with Dale G. Israel/BRP (FREEMAN)