A COMBINED group of law enforcement agencies recently thwarted and eventually seized a huge load of illegal drugs in an apparent smuggling attempt in Subic.
The composite team made up of agents from the Bureau of Customs—Port of Subic, together with law enforcement personnel from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), and the Department of Justice (DOJ), has successfully intercepted an attempt to smuggle a shipment of shabu valued at P3.8 billion.
The operation, which was set in motion after a report from the Intelligence Group, resulted in the seizure a total of 530 packs, each containing approximately one kilogram of methamphetamine. These illicit substances were concealed within a 1×40′ container, originally declared to contain 881 bags of animal feed from Thailand.
On September 21, 2023, the port issued a pre-lodgement control order against the shipment and underwent x-ray scanning, which raised suspicions. Following this, a physical examination was conducted by District Collector Ciriaco Ugay and his team. He was accompanied by representatives from the NBI, PDEA, DOJ, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, Customs Anti-Illegal Drug Task Force (CAIDTF), and PDEA K-9 Handlers.
Samples were extracted and promptly handed over to the PDEA for chemical analysis, whose results confirmed the presence of methamphetamine, commonly known as shabu, which is categorized as a dangerous drug under Republic Act (R.A.) No. 9165.
In response to these findings, Ugay promptly issued a Warrant of Seizure and Detention on September 23, 2023, for violations of Section 4 of R.A. No. 9165, also referred to as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, and Sections 118 (g) and 119 (d) of R.A. 10863 or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA), in connection with Section 1113(f) of R.A. No. 10863.
The drugs shipment was immediately handed over to the PDEA, followed by the execution of a controlled delivery operation by the NBI and PDEA.
“In this significant operation, law enforcement agencies successfully apprehended P3.8 billion worth of shabu, delivering a major blow to drug trafficking. The collaborative efforts of our dedicated teams, commencing with the BOC and CAIDTF, and notably the NBI and the PDEA, underscore our commitment to combatting the illegal drug trade and safeguarding our communities,” said Collector Ugay.
This latest accomplishment by the BOC, led by Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio, is part of the agency’s commitment and resoluteness in adhering to President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.’s directives to bolster border protection capabilities and prevent the entry of illegal drugs and other dangerous substances into the country.