P2.6 billion drug shipment from Pakistan seized

MANILA, Philippines —  Drug charges were filed yesterday against five suspects for allegedly smuggling into the country more than 404 kilos of shabu worth P2.64 billion from Pakistan.

The shipment, which arrived at the Port of Manila on Jan. 23, was intercepted during a joint operation by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Bureau of Customs and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).

At a press briefing, NBI Director Jaime Santiago identified the consignee as Oscar Berba of Red Shinting Consumer Goods Trading with office address in Las Piñas.

Berba was charged along with Karen Villaflor and Rey Gujilde, chairperson and president of freight forwarding company Ark Global Movers, respectively, as well as customs brokers Kevin Lee Arrio and Richard Aguantar.

The suspects are facing drug trafficking charges filed before a Manila court by the NBI, according to Santiago.

Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio said the illegal drugs were concealed in a food shipment from Pakistan.

Ayan Enterprise Trading and Logistics reportedly exported the food items declared as vermicelli and custards.

The boxes of shabu have been turned over to the PDEA.