3 get life over P1 billion shabu stashed in tapioca starch

MANILA, Philippines — A Manila court has convicted three men in connection with the shipment of nearly P1 billion worth of methamphetamine or shabu concealed in aluminum pallets carrying sacks of tapioca starch.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) said the Manila Regional Trial Court found Muktasil Abundol Asimuddin, Emmanuel Paulo delos Reyes and George Fernandez guilty of violating Republic Act 10863, the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act.

They were sentenced to life in prison and fined P50 million.

According to the DOJ, the shipment declared as tapioca starch was abandoned in early 2019.