P120-million shabu seized in Clark

MANILA, Philippines — At least 17.7 kilos of shabu with an estimated street value of P120 million were seized by personnel of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) at the Port of Clark on Thursday.

The BOC presented yesterday the illegal drugs found in four parcels from California, which arrived at the Clark Freeport Zone on Tuesday.

BOC Commissioner Isidro Lapeña identified the consignees as Christian Frias, Robert Nazareno, and Dominic Gallardo, all of Quezon City, and Gina Santiago of Taguig, and the senders of the parcels as Rania Frias, Maria Nazareno, Vanessa Gallardo and Rania Fernandez.

“After close coordination with PDEA, the four packages were subjected to 100 percent examination ... Customs examiners and PDEA agents found two packs of crystalline substances in each of the four boxes. PDEA agents utilized a drug meter reader detector which registered positive for shabu,” Lapeña said.

A certain Evelyn Lunzaga, who received the box for Nazareno, was arrested in a controlled delivery operation also yesterday.

“We suspect the senders of these packages are part of an international drug cartel. Because of  stricter measures we implement at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, drug smugglers are diverting their shipments to other airports,” Lapeña said.

Earlier this week, 11.5 kilos of shabu valued at P74.8 million hidden in chairs and a barbecue grill, which also arrived in Clark, were seized in controlled delivery operations. Four persons who received the parcels were arrested.