THE Bureau of Customs (BOC) has seized over P2.6 billion worth of shabu at the Port of Manila (POM) two weeks ago.
On January 23, authorities discovered 407 packages of crystal meth, or “shabu,” concealed within dried mango packaging. The packages were found in 58 boxes, part of a shipment that also included 640 other boxes. Each package contained one kilogram of shabu, totaling 407 kilograms.
“With the current street market value of shabu at P6.5 million per kilogram, the total value of the seized illegal drugs amounts to ₱2,645,500,000,” said the BOC.
The shipment originated in Pakistan and was declared to contain Crispo Vermicelli and Rafhan Custard sauce. Based on “derogatory information” from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) issued an alert order against the shipment, leading to the confirmation of the smuggled drugs.
Five suspects, allegedly involved in the drug smuggling operation, are facing inquest proceedings. Criminal charges are pending in the Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC). The Department of Justice (DOJ) National Prosecution Service identified the suspects as Oscar Campo Berba of Redshinting Consumer Goods Trading, customs brokers Kevin Lee Manuel Arrio and Richard Perlado Aguantar, and Ark Global Movers chairman Karen Villaflor Sacro and president Rey Baysa Gujilde.
Deputy Commissioner for the Intelligence Group Juvymax Uy reported that the suspected shabu was officially turned over to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) for laboratory examination and custody.
The POM district collector issued a seizure order against the shipment due to customs violations. The consignees, senders, and recipients face charges for misdeclaration and prohibited importation under the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA) and Republic Act No. 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002).
The NBI investigation led to the arrest of the brokers, consignees, and facilitators involved in the illegal transaction.
