As part of the Bureau of Customs’ (BOC) mandate to protect the country’s borders and support the administration’s war on drugs, The Port of NAIA In a joint operation with Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), Philippine National Police (PNP) and Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) apprehended today November 12, 2019 inside a Makati bar, the consignee of a package containing 1 kilo of Methamphetamine Hydrochloride also known as SHABU worth P6.8 million.
The suspect was identified as Edison Chua and was apprehended through a Controlled delivery at a Sports Bar located in Makati City. Also arrested was Chua’s companion identified as Brian Bantegui.
The SHABU was intercepted last November 6, 2019 at the FedEx warehouse concealed in a water filter that was shipped from San Antonio, Texas, USA. Customs personnel conducted a 100% physical examination on the package in the presence of representatives from Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), Customs Anti-illegal Drugs Task Force (CAIDTF), X-Ray Inspection Project (XIP), Enforcement Security Service (ESS), and Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS). Initial field tests conducted by the CAIDTF yielded results which indicated the presence of Methamphetamine or SHABU.
The consignee and the 1 kilo of SHABU shall be turned over to the PDEA for the institution of inquest proceedings for violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act (Republic Act 9165) in relation to Sections 118 (Prohibited Importation), 1113 (Goods Liable for Seizure and Forfeiture) and 1401 (Unlawful Importation) of the Republic Act 10863, otherwise known as the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA).
Port of NAIA Collector Carmelita M. Talusan in her statement said that the Port will remain vigilant in preventing the entry of illegal drugs and contrabands into the country. The NAIA chief further stressed that the BOC under the leadership of Commissioner Rey Leonardo B. Guerrero shall continue efforts and coordination with concerned government agencies to ensure that scrupulous individuals are apprehended and brought to justice.
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PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE (PIO) Bureau of Customs G/F OCOM Building, South Harbor (Port of Manila), Manila Landline: (+632) 527-8259 Fax: (+632) 527-1968
