PDEA, NBI raid on GenSan trucking compound leads to cocaine seizure

Using drug-sniffing dogs, agents of the PDEA and NBI find cocaine in a 40-foot shipping container in the compound of a trucking service company. ROMMEL G. REBOLIDO

GENERAL SANTOS CITY—Authorities on Tuesday (Dec. 1) seized at least P2 million worth of cocaine concealed in a shipping container near the city wharf.

Kath Abad, spokesperson of the Philippine Drugs Enforcement Authority (PDEA), said results of lab tests done by the PDEA regional office confirmed that the substance, weighing 500 grams, was cocaine worth at least P1.8 million.

Abad said agents of the regional PDEA office’s Seaport Interdiction Unit and agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) launched a search on IRS Eastern Inc., a company that is leasing and operating at Kudos Trucking Compound, Upper Molok Bridge, Labangal.

The search came after some company officials reported to authorities that a then unknown illegal drug was found by a technician in an air-conditioned compartment of one shipping container.

Abad said using drug-sniffing dogs, agents found the cocaine in a 40-foot shipping container with the markings CMA CGM and bearing the numbers APRU 5836108.

Authorities are now determining who owned the contraband shipment.

Edited by TSB