Authorities seize P400-Mln worth of high-grade shabu
Operatives from the Bureau of Customs (BOC) and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) seize 40 kilograms of high-grade methamphetamine hydrochloride, commonly known as ‘shabu’ sent from Hong Kong. The seized ‘shabu’ has a street value of at least P400-Million. The consignee of the illegal cargo, identified as Danilo Pineda, was arrested by authorities today (Monday, January 5).
The illegal drug was hidden inside a water pump that was sent through air cargo from Hong Kong last December 28, 2014. The ‘shabu’ was discovered following derogatory information received by the Customs’ Anti-Illegal Drug Task Force. Pineda was arrested after claiming the cargo. The illegal drug haul was turned-over to PDEA.
Last week, the Bureau seized 660kg of counterfeit medicines worth millions of pesos. The shipment, totaling 17 pallets, arrived in the Philippines from Bangkok, Thailand. In 2014, the Bureau has seized an estimated P1-Billion worth of various illegal, fake or controlled drugs and substances, including ‘shabu’, marijuana, ‘Ecstasy’, Valium, Ativan, Dormicum, Rivotril, Alprazolam, Ritalin, and other unlabeled tablets.
The Bureau has implemented more stringent control measures for examining air cargo and mailed parcels following the discovery of various illegal substances concealed in items like shoes, denim pants, slippers, books, billiard cue stick and even stuffed toys. Authorities identify contraband items in the parcels upon inspection using X-Ray scanning machines and rigid physical inspection.