Over P1-M worth of ‘shabu’ declared as ‘chocolates’ intercepted in Clark

MANILA, Philippines — Two claimants were arrested and a parcel declared as “chocolates” containing over P1 million worth of crystal meth or “shabu” was seized when authorities launched an operation in Clark, Pampanga and Bulacan, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) said on Thursday.

According to BOC, its Anti-Illegal Drug Task Force and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) personnel collared two men from Baliuag, Bulacan, who were set to receive the shipment containing P1,055,010 worth of “shabu” last May 15.

Before the arrest of the suspects, BOC said the parcel underwent X-ray inspection, and K9 sniffing and raised suspicion that it contained contraband. Inside the parcel was one pack of candies containing eleven sachets of shabu.

Samples were turned over to the PDEA chemical laboratory for analysis, and results showed that it was shabu, which led to the issuance of a warrant of seizure and detention against the shipment for violating the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act concerning Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

After this, agents of PDEA conducted jointly controlled delivery operations to track the importer’s address, which resulted in the arrest of the two claimants.

The BOC said this is the seventh drug bust operation conducted at the port of Clark this year.

“Since January, the port has already recorded seizures of prohibited drugs with an aggregate estimated value of P60 million,” the agency said.

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