Customs chief denies allegations of cover-up in shabu shipment

Bureau of Customs Commissioner (BoC) Isidro Lapeña denied on Tuesday allegations that he is involved in a cover-up of the smuggling of an estimated P6.8 billion worth of “shabu” (crystal meth) through the port of Manila.

Ma. Lourdes Mangaoang, deputy collector for passenger service at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, has claimed that Lapeña did not do anything about intelligence reports on alleged illegal drugs concealed in two magnetic lifters at Manila International Container Port (MICP).

Customs Commissioner Isidro Lapeña. Photo by RYAN LEAGOGO/INQUIRER.net

“The statements that I did nothing with this incident and trying to do cover-up is but absolutely false and I say were imputed with malice,” Lapeña said in a press briefing.

“The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and almost everyone from the BoC know that immediately took action right from the beginning when the lifters are discovered by MICP,” he added. /ee

READ: Customs exec: Early info on ‘shabu’ smuggling ignored