54 kg of ‘shabu’ seized at Naia in 2019

Bureau of Customs (BOC) operatives at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) seized in 2019 assorted illegal drugs worth close to P400 million from passengers as well as parcel and cargo handlers using the country’s premiere gateway.

Intercepted and confiscated were 54.4147 kilos of “shabu” valued at around P370 million; 1.47 kilos of cocaine worth around P7.8 million; 4,152 Ecstasy tablets, worth around P8.6 million; 72,589 Valium and Mogadon tablets, worth around P1.572 million; 5.927 kilos of marijuana, including kush weeds, worth around P9.397 million; and 76 cartridges or containers of liquid marijuana worth around P805,000 during the last 12 months.

BOC-Naia seized the illegal drugs in 31 operations conducted throughout the year. Also seized were 10 pistols and rifles, 97 pieces of smuggled gun parts and 358 concealed live ammunition.

Customs enforcers also intercepted 2,525 wild and endangered animals.—JEROME ANING