BOC, PDEA uncover 15 boxes of illegal drugs from Canada

MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Customs (BOC) and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) intercepted yesterday over P199.7 million worth of shabu and high-grade marijuana in packages declared as personal effects at a warehouse in Pasay City.

The shipment, consisting of 15 boxes coming from Canada, was flagged by the BOC X-ray Inspection Project (XIP) after suspicious images were detected during screening.

This prompted the issuance of an alert order and subsequent conduct of a physical examination and verification of the packages.

BOC Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno and the PDEA led the inspection of six boxes containing 28 cans with approximately 28,324 grams of suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu with an estimated value of P192.603 million. Another box was found to contain approximately 4,746 grams of suspected high-grade marijuana or kush, valued at P7.119 million.

Authorities also found 20 towels and 20 duvets suspected to contain liquid methamphetamine.

Samples taken from the suspected shabu, high-grade marijuana and liquid methamphetamine were subjected to laboratory examination by PDEA and yielded positive results for methamphetamine hydrochloride and cannabis.

The operation was carried out through coordinated efforts with the PDEA, Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service, Customs Anti-Illegal Drug Task Force, Enforcement and Security Service, XIP, NAIA Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group and other concerned authorities.