P58.3 million drug shipment from Nigeria seized

MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Customs (BOC) recently intercepted a shipment from Nigeria allegedly containing around nine kilos of shabu valued at P58.3 million in San Andres, Manila.

The shipment was declared as “food stuff” and concealed in packages of assorted dried spices, the BOC told reporters yesterday.

The BOC said the operation was coordinated with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Plant Industry.

The smuggled drugs were turned over to the PDEA for further investigation, the BOC said.

Charges of violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act as well as Customs Modernization and Tariff Act will be filed against the consignee of the drug shipment.

The BOC said no arrests have been made as authorities are still conducting a probe of the persons responsible for the illegal shipment.