MANILA, Philippines?The Bureau of Customs has confiscated 32 drums of a controlled substance used to manufacture shabu (methamphetamine hydrochloride) in what it described as the biggest drug bust in the agency?s history.

The confiscated cargo, toluene, was enough to manufacture two tons of shabu worth P1.5 billion, the bureau said in a press statement.

Customs Commissioner Angelito ?Lito? A. Alvarez said the toluene shipment arrived on Aug. 10 from Shekou, China, and was declared by consignee Trispher Trading as ladies? handbags.

?Customs operatives are now looking for the owners of Trispher Trading, who have not come forward to claim ownership of the confiscated chemicals,? Alvarez said.

Toluene is listed in the Dangerous Drugs Board Regulation as a controlled chemical. It is classified as a narcotic and a psychotropic substance under the United Nations Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances.

Alvarez commended the X-Ray Inspection Project (XIP) personnel for their vigilance that resulted in the discovery of the banned substance and for the efficient utilization of Customs? container X-ray machines.

?The use of these X-ray machines helped the assessment division in detecting false declarations and in determining the correct valuation and classification of goods through efficient scanning,? Alvarez said.

Alvarez said Lourdes Mangaoang, head of the bureau?s XIP, had the dubious container subjected to customs alert order after X-ray personnel found images of drums concealed by other items at the rear end of the container.

Director Jose Yuchongco of the agency?s Enforcement and Security Service coordinated with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) for the sampling and laboratory testing of the controlled substance.

Upon testing, the PDEA certified the 32 drums were positive for toluene.

Alvarez also ordered Yuchongco to secure the confiscated drums at an unmarked warehouse.