P75M worth of suspected shabu seized in Clark by BOC, PDEA

A high-value shipment of suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu was recently intercepted at a warehouse in Clark Freeport Zone in Mabalacat, Pampanga by authorities, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) said Saturday.

The suspected shabu estimated to be worth P75,072,000 was seized by the Bureau of Customs (BOC) and Clark Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group (CRK-IADITG) headed by the PDEA Region III.

The alleged illegal drugs were packed in a parcel declared as an industrial water chiller shipped from Mexico and consigned to an address in Cainta, Rizal. 

When the parcel was inspected, authorities found 11.04 kilograms of suspected shabu concealed within the shipment.

Two men were arrested: alias Dexs, 52, of Cebu; and alias Maca, 54, of Tarlac.

The suspects will face charges of violating provisions of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, and if convicted may face penalties such as life imprisonment and a fine ranging from P500,000 to P10 million.

Authorities recovered IDs, mobile phone, vehicle, and various shipping papers from the suspects.

The seized suspected shabu will undergo laboratory examination, PDEA Region III said.

BOC and PDEA Region III CRK-IADITG worked with PDEA Pampanga Provincial Office, National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Pampanga District Office, Philippine National Police (PNP) Aviation Security Unit 3, PNP Drug Enforcement Group (PDEG), PNP Mabalacat CPS and BOC-Customs Anti-Illegal Drug Task Force (CAIDTF), Port of Clark during the joint operation. —KG, GMA Integrated News