BOC, PDEA seize ‘shabu’ worth P13.8M, 2 suspects arrested
MANILA, Philippines — Agents of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) seized P13.8 million worth of crystal methamphetamine, locally known as “shabu” which were hidden inside sports water bottles.
In a statement, the BOC said the drugs were discovered in a shipment said to contain “microserver double stainless ceramic,” which arrived on Jan. 2 from Bangkok, Thailand.
According to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), the said shipment was seized at a package shipping and distribution facility in Pasay City.
The shipment was marked for physical examination after X-ray scanning showed a suspicious image.
A physical examination led to the discovery of four 3-liter stainless sports water bottles containing white crystalline substances wrapped in plastic and aluminum foil.
Samples from the sports water bottles were then taken and turned over to PDEA for chemical laboratory analysis, which confirmed the presence of shabu. Once confirmed, agents from the BOC and the PDEA conducted a joint delivery operation, which led to the arrest of two suspects who claimed the shipment.
The suspects were identified by PDEA as Annalyn Real, 50 years old, and Nyka Angel Real, 23 years old. Both are residents of Mandaluyong City.
Complaints for violation of Republic Act (R.A.) No. 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 are now being readied against them.
Customs Commissioner Yogi Filemon Ruiz said the BOC remains steadfast in its commitment to the directives of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to be vigilant in its anti-illegal drug measures to prevent the entry of narcotics and other dangerous substances into the country.
