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Advocates Philippines
Bureau Of Customs Arrests Passenger With P55 M Worth Of Shabu
Photo credit: BOC
Manila, Philippines - The Bureau of Customs – Ninoy Aquino International Airport (BOC-NAIA), in collaboration with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the NAIA Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group (NAIA-IADITG), successfully uncovered a significant quantity of shabu hidden inside checked-in luggage at NAIA Terminal 3 on June 5, 2023.
The luggage, belonging to a Liberian passenger, arrived in the Philippines via Qatar Airways flight number QR 934 from Doha, Qatar, on June 4, 2023. The passenger, originally from Lagos, Nigeria, was temporarily detained by the Bureau of Immigration due to a lack of immigration papers. During routine X-ray screening conducted by the X-ray Inspection Project (XIP), led by Atty. Ma. Lourdes V. Mangaong, the luggage was flagged as suspicious and potentially containing illegal drugs.
Further investigation by a customs examiner from the Arrival Operations Division revealed the presence of 8.138 kilograms of shabu cleverly concealed within yellow powdery spices. The Dangerous Drugs Board confirmed that the seized narcotics had a street value of PHP 55,338,400.00.
The arrested passenger will face charges for violating Republic Act (RA) No. 9165, also known as the Comprehensive Drug Act, and RA 10863, the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA). The seized luggage will undergo seizure and forfeiture proceedings as the authorities delve deeper into the case.
Commissioner Bienvenido Y. Rubio, head of the BOC, emphasized the agency's commitment to preventing the entry of illicit goods into the country. District Collector Atty. Yasmin Mapa, who leads BOC-NAIA, vowed to intensify border control measures and strengthen coordination with partner agencies to combat illegal drug smuggling.
Commissioner Rubio commended the efforts of BOC-NAIA and expressed gratitude to PDEA, XIP, and NAIA-IADITG for their invaluable support in the operation. He emphasized the significance of collaborative endeavors among law enforcement agencies to combat drug trafficking and ensure the safety and security of the Filipino people.
The successful interception of the shabu shipment underscores the ongoing dedication and vigilance of Philippine authorities in the fight against drug smuggling. The BOC-NAIA, PDEA, and NAIA-IADITG's coordinated efforts serve as a strong deterrent to criminals attempting to exploit the country's airports for their illicit activities.
The luggage, belonging to a Liberian passenger, arrived in the Philippines via Qatar Airways flight number QR 934 from Doha, Qatar, on June 4, 2023. The passenger, originally from Lagos, Nigeria, was temporarily detained by the Bureau of Immigration due to a lack of immigration papers. During routine X-ray screening conducted by the X-ray Inspection Project (XIP), led by Atty. Ma. Lourdes V. Mangaong, the luggage was flagged as suspicious and potentially containing illegal drugs.
Further investigation by a customs examiner from the Arrival Operations Division revealed the presence of 8.138 kilograms of shabu cleverly concealed within yellow powdery spices. The Dangerous Drugs Board confirmed that the seized narcotics had a street value of PHP 55,338,400.00.
The arrested passenger will face charges for violating Republic Act (RA) No. 9165, also known as the Comprehensive Drug Act, and RA 10863, the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA). The seized luggage will undergo seizure and forfeiture proceedings as the authorities delve deeper into the case.
Commissioner Bienvenido Y. Rubio, head of the BOC, emphasized the agency's commitment to preventing the entry of illicit goods into the country. District Collector Atty. Yasmin Mapa, who leads BOC-NAIA, vowed to intensify border control measures and strengthen coordination with partner agencies to combat illegal drug smuggling.
Commissioner Rubio commended the efforts of BOC-NAIA and expressed gratitude to PDEA, XIP, and NAIA-IADITG for their invaluable support in the operation. He emphasized the significance of collaborative endeavors among law enforcement agencies to combat drug trafficking and ensure the safety and security of the Filipino people.
The successful interception of the shabu shipment underscores the ongoing dedication and vigilance of Philippine authorities in the fight against drug smuggling. The BOC-NAIA, PDEA, and NAIA-IADITG's coordinated efforts serve as a strong deterrent to criminals attempting to exploit the country's airports for their illicit activities.
Jun 6, 2023
