P120 million shabu seized at Cebu airport

CEBU, Philippines — The Bureau of Customs (BOC)-subport of Mactan seized around 17 kilos of shabu with an estimated street value of P120 million at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport on Wednesday night.

The BOC said Pietro Alquo, a South African who arrived on Qatar Airways Flight QR 924, was arrested after the illegal drugs were found in his luggage.

BOC-subport of Mactan collector Gerry Campo said their office received a report that Alquo is a drug mule.

“Derogatory info was immedately disseminated to the Customs officers on duty... Our Customs team immediately called the attention of PDEA (Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency) for K9 inspection and assistance,” a BOC report stated.

Alquo reportedly said he was not aware that he was carrying illegal drugs in the package that a friend allegedly asked him to bring.

The BOC-Port of Cebu said the seized items would be turned over to PDEA for case buildup and prosecution.

“The Port of Cebu does not tolerate smuggling of dangerous drugs... We keep our borders tight to ensure these do not slip past our jurisdiction,” district collector Elvira Cruz said in a statement.

Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard Chan thanked PDEA for its swift action. He said he was surprised that the illegal drugs were not detected at the airports in South Africa and Qatar. –/The Freeman, Emmanuel Tupas