Got a tip? Send it to us at manila@coconuts.co.
Customs officials at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport turned over to Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) some P1.5 million worth of methamphetamine hydrochloride (shabu) which they intercepted.
Customs police director Col. Marlon Alameda and Customs deputy commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno turned over to PDEA regional director Erwin Ogario the intercepted drugs, which weighed about 197 grams.
Alameda said portions of the drugs were concealed inside diapers, rice cookers, document envelopes, and even a laminated certificate of a religious organization.
An X-ray machine discovered the drugs, which were placed inside four parcels from courier firm DHL. The items were bound for the United Kingdom, Guam, and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Although the names of the recipients are believed to fictitious, PDEA is now trying to identify who sent the packages through a footage provided by DHL.
“We are doubling our efforts in monitoring packages arriving and leaving the country as drug traffickers are trying to use all means for their illegal drug trade,” said Customs Commissioner Alberto Lina.
“The Bureau of Customs will never allow drug trafficking syndicate to use the Philippines as a transhipment point for their illegal drugs. Customs officials will always be on the lookout for illegal drugs smuggling attempts. We will not hesitate to prosecute those involved.”
Text and photo: Raoul Esperas for ABS-CBNnews.com
This article has been re-published with permission from ABS-CBNnews.com.
