The Bureau of Customs – Port of Clark, together with CAIDTF, ESS, CIIS, XIP & PDEA, once again busted an illegal drug importation as it discovered a total of 1000 grams of Methamphetamine Hydrochloride or Shabu with an estimated value of Php 6.9-million hidden inside 31 pcs. of Dinosaur Toys from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia last March 15, 2022.
Consistent in reinforcing its anti-illegal drug measures as directed by Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero, the subject shipment was subjected to x-ray scanning upon its arrival which revealed images of organic substances. This prompted the conduct of 100% physical examination which led to the findings of 31 pcs. of dinosaur toys, each containing plastic packs of crystalline substances suspected to be Shabu.
The shipment was likewise subjected to PDEA K9 sniffing that gave positive indications of presence of illegal drugs. Also, a field testing was conducted by CAIDTF Clark personnel through a Rigaku Spectrometer Reader which yielded positive result for “Methamphetamine, controlled substance: Ampetamine.”
Representative samples were taken and turned over to PDEA for the conduct of chemical laboratory analysis which confirmed that said powdered substance are indeed Methamphetamine Hydrochloride or Shabu, a dangerous drug under R.A. No. 9165.
A Warrant of Seizure and Detention was issued by District Collector Alexandra Lumontad against the subject shipment for violation of Sections 118 (g), 119 (d), and 1113 par. f, i & l of R.A. 10863 otherwise known as the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA) in relation to R.A. 9165 otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
On March 16, 2022, a controlled delivery operation was conducted by the joint elements of BOC & PDEA to the consignee’s address in Caloocan City that resulted to the arrest of the claimant.
The Port of Clark, according to Collector Lumontad, will remain vigilant on the various mode of concealment used to smuggle illegal drugs into the country. On record, the Port of Clark already had six (6) major drug apprehensions, equivalent to a total of 25-million pesos worth of seized illegal drugs since January 2022.
