P75-M shabu intercepted at Clark Freeport
MABALACAT CITY—Some P75 million worth of shabu (crystal meth) was intercepted during a joint operation led by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) inside the Clark Free Port on Saturday.
The PDEA, in a statement, two suspects identified only as alias “Dexs,” 52, and alias “Maca,” 54, were arrested at around 5:27 p.m. on Saturday while trying to receive the package containing some 11 kilograms of shabu at the Port of Clark, a custom district operating through the Clark International Airport.
It was learned that the package, declared as an industrial water chiller, arrived at Clark on Aug. 26 from Mexico and consigned to someone in Cainta, Rizal.
“Upon inspection, operatives discovered 11.04 kilograms of shabu concealed within the shipment,” the agency said.
Bureau of Customs and PDEA officials and operatives found the hidden shabu worth P75,072,000 during the joint airport interdiction operation.
It was learned that alias Dexs is a resident of Cebu while Maca is from Tarlac.
“Both will face charges for violation of Sections 4, 11, and 20, Article II of Republic Act 9165, the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002,” PDEA said.
Seamless collaboration
It said operatives from the National Bureau of Investigation and different units of the Philippine National Police assisted the PDEA and the customs bureau in the operation.
“Recovered non-drug evidence included identification documents, a mobile phone, vehicle, and various shipping papers linked to the smuggling attempt,” it added.
In the statement, PDEA Director General Undersecretary Isagani R. Nerez commended the seamless collaboration of all law enforcement and border control agencies, stressing that the interception highlights the government’s unyielding commitment to cut the supply of illegal drugs at the country’s ports of entry.
“This interdiction success underscores our united front against international drug trafficking. We will remain vigilant in safeguarding our ports and borders to protect Filipino communities from the threat of illegal drugs,” he said.
