Consistent to its mandate in protecting the borders against illegal drugs, the Bureau of Customs-Port of Clark, on 27 November 2019, seized 1.026 kgs of Shabu worth P6.8 million from a shipment of aquarium filter from the Czech Republic and 30ml of marijuana on 3 December 2019.
The shipment said to contain “external aquarium filter” was initially subjected to non-intrusive examination which revealed suspicious images. BOC K-9 inspection was then conducted which indicated possible presence of illegal drugs. To validate its findings, PDEA K-9 team was sought wherein sniffing dogs also indicated a sit alert.
Thereafter, physical examination was conducted on the subject shipment which yielded two (2) plastic packs of crystalline substances. Samples were taken for the conduct of PDEA chemical analysis which positively resulted in the presence of Methamphetamine Hydrochloride or “shabu”.
A Warrant of Seizure and Detention (WSD) was issued for violation of Section 118 (g), 119 (d), 1113 par. (f), (i) & (l) and 1400 of R.A. No. 10863 or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA) and Republic Act No. 9165, otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
Similarly, last 3 December 2019, a shipment declared in the invoice as nutritional supplement was found to contain three (3) bottles with markings of marijuana leaf. Thereafter, samples were taken for the conduct of PDEA analysis which were found positive for presence of Marijuana. WSD will be issued against the same by the District Collector.
The seized methamphetamine hydrochloride and marijuana were turned over to PDEA Region III on November 27, 2019 and December 3, 2019, respectively.
District Collector Ruby Alameda said that the port will maintain a heightened border security as this was the same season last year when the Port of Clark apprehended 153-M worth of prohibited drugs.
Consistent to Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero’s directive to exercise vigilance and enhance border control, Port of Clark, from January 2019 to date, has seized a total of P159.5-M worth of prohibited drugs.
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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
