Customs busts over P400 million worth of ‘shabu’ from Guinea, West Africa
Crystal methamphetamine, known in the Philippines as “shabu,” contained in plastic sachets. | (INQUIRER.net stock photo)
MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Customs (BOC) on Tuesday said its operatives discovered P400 million worth of suspected crystal meth or “shabu” from Guinea, West Africa.
BOC said the contraband was brought to Pair Cargo Warehouse in Pasay City on Sunday and was initially declared to contain spare parts.
But the operatives of the bureau in the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) inspected the shipment on Monday, after finding it suspicious.
“The shipment from Guinea, Africa was declared to contain spare parts, [but] upon seeing [a] suspicious image, Naia Customs x-ray operatives conducted a physical examination and found illegal drugs,” the BOC said in a statement.
According to BOC, the shipment was found to contain 58.93 kilograms of shabu with a total estimated street value of P400,724,000 as per Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).
BOC also said the PDEA is currently conducting an investigation on the yet-unidentified consignee who is set to undergo inquest proceedings for violation of Republic Act (RA) 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 and RA10863 also known as the Customs Modernization Act.—MJ Soriano, trainee
