2 suspects, P17.5-M shabu turned over to PDEA

Bureau of Customs (BOC) chief Isidro Lapeña has turned over to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) two suspects and the P17.5 million worth of shabu (methamphetamine hydrochloride) seized at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) last week.

“The suspicious image shown during x-ray inspection prompted the 100% physical examination. The matter was referred to the Customs Anti-Illegal Drugs Task Force for initial drug test which resulted positive for methamphetamine,” Lapeña said in a statement on Thursday.

The suspects, Francis Melvin Feliciano and Raquel Kilario Dela Cruz, were nabbed in a follow-up operation in a FedEx warehouse last Dec. 11, by presenting a fake ID of a certain Michael Espino Cruz, Lapeña said.

The approximately 3.5 kilos of drug shipment declared as toys was sent by a certain Jason Lee from California, United States of America.

The Customs chief said it was consigned to Cruz who resides in Parañaque.

The illegal drugs and the suspects are now under the custody of PDEA for further investigation.

“The series of operations here in Naia is a result of our intensified drive against the smuggling of illegal drugs. I have directed all BOC-NAIA personnel to be on guard as the cases of drug smuggling may be alarming and rampant again,” Naia District Collector Ramon Anquilan said. /je