Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga – The Port of Clark, together with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and Customs Anti-illegal Drugs Task Force (CAIDTF) apprehended the claimant of a shipment containing 1,808 grams of Shabu worth P12,475,200.00 last May 11, 2023 in Mandaluyong City.
The BOC discovered the illegal drugs during physical examination on May 10 of a shipment from California, USA, said to contain “lol surprise dolls toys, plush stuff animal, toy car”.
The shipment was subjected to usual K9 sniffing and x-ray scanning procedures and was immediately subjected to physical examination which led to the discovery of two cans of Mr. Espresso premium coffee containing white crystalline substances weighing 1,808 grams.
Representative samples were then taken and turned over to PDEA for chemical laboratory analysis which confirmed that the said substances are positive for the presence of Methamphetamine Hydrochloride or commonly known as “Shabu”, a dangerous drug under the Republic Act (R.A.) No. 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
On May 11, joint elements of Port of Clark and PDEA conducted a controlled delivery operation to the consignee’s address in Mandaluyong City, which led to the arrest of a 42-year-old male claimant.
District Collector John Simon will issue a Warrant of Seizure and Detention against the subject shipment in violation of Section 118 (g), 119 (d), and 1113 par. f, i, and l (3 and 4) of R.A. No. 10863 or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA) in relation to R.A. No. 9165.
A criminal case will be filed against the apprehended claimant for violation of R.A. 9165.
“We commend our personnel in their commitment to stop illegal drug smuggling at our port and we also recognize PDEA for their support in our drug seizures and apprehensions,” Collector Simon said in a statement. “The Port of Clark, under the leadership of Commissioner Bienvenido Y. Rubio, will further intensify our measures to stop attempts of illegal drugs smuggling in the country,” Collector Simon added.
“The BOC have been fully committed to the directives of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to curb smuggling in all forms especially the smuggling of prohibited drugs. With our stricter border security measures in place, we are positive that these illegal drugs imported by unscrupulous individuals will be apprehended,” Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio said.
