P2.2-B ‘shabu’ found in unclaimed shipment from Mexico

‘SHABU’ HAUL   About 323 kilos of methamphetamine hydrochloride, or “shabu,” valued at P2.2 billion hidden in a shipment of beef jerky from Mexico are presented to the media at the Manila International Container Port. — RICHARD A. REYES

Drug enforcers finally inspected on Wednesday a shipment of beef jerky seven months after it arrived from Mexico and found 323 kilograms of methamphetamine hydrochloride, locally called “shabu,” among the laminated packages of dried meat snacks.

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) said in a statement that the dried meat was shipped by Logistica Integral Aduanal Meyma and Aime Express Logistics SA DE CV in Mexico and arrived at Manila International Container Port (MICP) in Manila on Feb. 24. It was consigned to local importer Salesbeat Within OPC.

After more than seven months sitting in a port warehouse, the BOC Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) said in a statement that it received “derogatory information” that the said shipment contained illegal drugs.

READ: BOC seizes 323 kilos of ‘shabu’ worth P2.2B hidden in meat jerky

On Oct. 4, the shipment, which was declared to contain only beef jerky snacks, was subjected to X-ray scanning and 100 percent physical examination. Enforcers then found the shabu, which has an estimated street value of P2.2 billion.

“Thereafter, the identified shabu were temporarily loaded back inside the subject container, padlocked and sealed with the signatures of the assigned Customs examiner and afore-identified witnesses,” the BOC said in a statement on Friday.

While the BOC did not share any more information about the receiving entity, Salesbeat, the Food and Drug Administration in its website listed a company with the same name as a “Food Importer/Wholesale” with an address of 103-J A Lake street Balong Bato in San Juan City.

The inspection of the shipment started when the CIIS-MICP requested a Pre-Lodgment Control Order (PLCO) to further examine the contents of the shipment that was declared only to contain packed beef jerky.

The PLCO order was issued on Sept. 29 by District Collector Romeo Rosales. On Oct. 4, the shipment was inspected in the presence of agents from the Customs Anti-Illegal Drug Task Force, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, BOC-X-Ray Inspection Project, Philippine National Police-Drug Enforcement Group, BOC-Enforcement and Security Service, Philippine Coast Guard, Chamber of Customs Brokers Inc. and CIIS-MICP.

District Collector Romeo Rosales stressed that: “Our officers continue their dedication to our border security mission, which led to this latest shabu interception. Their drive, vigilance and alertness on a daily basis made this operation possible. We remain committed in keeping our communities safe from these narcotics while also facilitating lawful entries of goods.”