Almost ₱23M worth of alleged shabu in unclaimed packages seized at NAIA

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) seized almost P23 million worth of shabu in unclaimed packages at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Complex in Pasay City.

According to a statement Thursday, two unclaimed packages at the OBC Warehouse were found to contain the suspected shabu with an estimated combined worth of P22,997,600.

The first package, declared as CCTV Kits from Malawi in Africa, contained approximately 2,370 grams of shabu with an estimated value of P16,166,000. 

The second package, also declared as CCTV Kits from Johannesburg, South Africa, contained approximately 1,012 grams of shabu estimated cost of P6,881,600.

Both packages were turned over to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) for proper handling and disposal.

“The continued interception of illegal drugs, even in unclaimed and abandoned shipments, shows that our enforcement units remain proactive and alert. We will keep strengthening our cooperation with partner agencies to prevent our ports from being used as entry points for dangerous substances,” said BOC Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno.

Meanwhile, BOC-NAIA said they have so far confiscated a total of P479 million worth of illegal drugs this year.

Earlier, BOC-NAIA also barred the entry of P55 million worth of illegal drugs in the country after an arriving German passenger was caught carrying the contraband inside hollowed out Bibles hidden inside false luggage compartments. 

BOC said it will continue to strengthen its operations against illegal drug networks operating through air cargo and courier routes. —Jiselle Anne C. Casucian/RF, GMA Integrated News