P4.8M worth of ecstasy seized in Manila; suspect arrested

A 26-year-old man was arrested in a controlled delivery operation after receiving a parcel with ecstasy pills worth P4,892,600 in Manila on Monday, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Tuesday.

PNP chief Police General Debold Sinas identified the suspect as Ronron Salonga.

The Ninoy Aquino International Airport Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Group (NAIA- IADITG) intercepted a shipment of 2,878 pieces of ecstasy pills during the operation at PHLPost Central Office.

Citing reports from the PNP Drug Enforcement Group, Sinas said Salonga was arrested by the NAIA- IADITG after he claimed the parcel with drugs concealed in a box of clothes and shoes.

The parcel was shipped by a certain Mary Lumbao Edwards from the Netherlands and consigned to one Susan Lumbao of Malate, Manila, PNP said.

Other items recovered from Salonga were an authorization letter, photocopy of ID of the consignee, some identification cards, parcel delivery notice, and sales invoice.

The suspect will face cases for violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 as well as the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act, according to PNP. --Joviland Rita/KBK, GMA News