Illegal drugs hidden in tomato paste cans, kush from Sin City intercepted at Clark port

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) on Thursday reported that a total of P160.5 million worth of illegal drugs were intercepted at the Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga.

Joint operatives of PDEA Region 3 and NCR in collaboration with the Bureau of Customs (BOC) intercepted two boxes containing a kilo of shabu worth P6.8 million and 200 pieces of ecstasy tablets worth P340,000 hidden inside cans of tomato paste last December 28.

The packages were subjected to K9 sweeping and yielded positive indication of illegal drugs after an X-ray screening revealed that the boxes contained an organic substance.

In a series of interdiction operations on January 10, 13, and 14, the PDEA and BOC also intercepted 18 kg of shabu with an estimated market value of P122.4 million and three kilos of kush worth P3.8 million concealed inside boxes passed off as food and clothing.

PDEA Director General Aaron Aquino said all packages were from Las Vegas, Nevada but "the intended receivers failed to fetch the shipped goods."

Authorities also arrested two consignees in a "controlled delivery" operation, wherein a subjected shipment was allowed to go forward under the control and surveillance in order to secure evidence against the operators involved.

On Wednesday afternoon, the drug enforcement unit arrested 44-year-old Edna Valenzuela alias "Belinda Azures" and her 22-year-old daughter Judy Ann after receiving the controlled delivery package at their house in Barangay San Roque, Navotas City.

Authorities reportedly confiscated from them two cartons containing more or less than four kilos of shabu with an estimated street value of P27.2 million.

The suspects are facing charges for violation of Section 4 (Importation) in relation to Section 26 (Conspiracy to Import) and Section 11 (Possession), Article II of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

According to Aquino, the identities and information of the drug shippers whose addresses in Las Vegas, Nevada were still the subject of investigation and validation.

However, the PDEA chief said reports have revealed that the "recent trafficking of drug-laden packages were perpetrated by Mexican Sinaloa drug cartel and Chinese drug syndicates." — MDM, GMA News