MANILA, Philippines — The shipment auctioned off last month at the Manila International Container Port (MICP) only contained tapioca starch, not crystal meth or “shabu”, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) clarified on Friday.
Senator Panfilo Lacson earlier raised questions on how the BOC, along with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), agreed to auction off a shipment containing more than P1 billion-worth of shabu, pointing out that it was in violation of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act.
READ: Lacson hit PDEA, BOC for ‘dishonesty’ in drug seizure ops
“The BOC today clarified that what was auctioned off at the Manila International Container Port was tapioca starch and not hydrochloride methamphetamine or commonly known as ‘shabu’,” the bureau said in a statement.
“As far as the BOC is concerned, what was auctioned in April 2019 was Tapioca Starch which is highly perishable in nature,” it added.
READ: Malabon warehouse yields 146 kilos of ‘shabu’ worth around P1B
The bureau also said it agrees that the auction of prohibited items is not allowed under the Customs Modernization and Tarrif Act.
Moreover, it pointed out that it was the PDEA that acts as the lead agency in anti-illegal drugs operations.
“The Bureau stresses that regarding operations on illegal drugs, it is the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and not the BOC that acts as the lead agency,” the BOC said.
“The bureau maintains close coordination with the said agency to ensure the timely and efficient apprehension of illegal drugs as well as the people involved,” it added.
A thorough investigation is already being conducted on the illegal shipment, the BOC said.
The bureau said it has also coordinated with the office of Senator Lacson on the issues he raised during his privilege speech. (Editor: Julie Espinosa)
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