Over P1M shabu seized in Pampanga

Authorities confiscated more than P1 million worth of shabu and arrested two claimants of the parcel at the Port of Clark in Pampanga, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) said Thursday.

Personnel of the BOC and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) found the illegal drugs worth around P1.055 million in a shipment initially declared as chocolates on May 15.

According to the customs agency, a physical examination was conducted on the freight goods after K-9 sniffing dogs, and an X-ray inspection raised suspicion it contained contraband.

Discovered inside was one pack of gummy candies, containing one medium pack and ten small packs of white crystalline substances.

A sample of the substance was immediately turned over to the PDEA for laboratory analysis, which confirmed it was shabu — a dangerous drug considered illegal in the country under Republic Act (RA) No. 9165 or the “Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002”.

The BOC issued a warrant of seizure and detention against the parcel for violating Sections 118 (g), 119 (d), and 1113 par. (f), (i), and (l)-(3) and (4) of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act in relation to RA No. 9615.

Elements of the Port and PDEA, meanwhile, conducted a joint controlled delivery operation at the importer’s address, which led to the arrest of two claimants, who were both residents of Baliuag, Bulacan.

This is the seventh drug bust operation at the Port of Clark this year, according to the BOC. At least P60 million worth of illicit drugs have been intercepted in the port since January. —Sundy Locus/ VAL, GMA Integrated News