Customs bureau seizes P1.8B worth of shabu

The Bureau of Customs - Manila International Container Port (MICP) found almost 300 kilos of suspected shabu that was shipped to the country from Vietnam on Friday.

The shipment, which arrived last Monday at the Manila North Harbor, was found inside a 40-foot container consigned to Wealth Lotus Empire Corporation.

The consignee of the shipment declared contents as plastic resin. However, authorities inspected the container and found illegal drugs.

Customs and PDEA personnel found 12 sacks tied with yellow tape that contained items wrapped in clear cellophane and sealed in foil packaging.

Upon testing the sample of the subject substance, authorities were able to confirm that the items were shabu.

Based on the report, the intercepted shipment of drugs was processed by customs broker Jane A. Castillo with business address at Sta. Lucia Street, Intramuros, Manila.

BOC officials turned over the shipment to the to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).

In a separate report by Super Radyo dzBB's Manny Vargas, authorities recovered at least 276 kilos of shabu that arrived in the country from Vietnam.

Citing information from PDEA director general Aaron Aquino, Vietnamese authorities informed them of the contraband.

The container was onboard a ship named Callao Bridge V145E that traveled from Ho Chi Minh City to Manila.

Aquino said the consignee and the broker for the shipment have been identified and that they have launched a follow-up operation.

According to the PDEA chief, an initial investigation showed that the Chinese drug triad may be involved in the illegal drug shipment.

In a statement, MICP District Collector Atty. Erastus Sandino B. Austria said he revoked the customs accreditation of the involved consignee, Wealth Lotus Empire Corporation, and customs broker Castillo.

"Also, we will also file appropriate criminal  and administrative  charges against those involved in the importation of illegal-drugs," he added. — Anna Felicia Bajo and Margaret Claire Layug/BAP, GMA News