By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan

BUSTED. Members of the NAIA Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group arrest the consignee of a shabu shipment worth PHP20.4 million in an operation in Pasay City on Monday (March 25, 2024). The suspect was identified as 51-year-old Mohammad Tammy Bagatao, a.k.a. Joseph Manasseh Acogido. (Photo courtesy of PDEG)

MANILA – Authorities arrested the consignee of a shabu shipment worth PHP20.4 million at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) on Monday afternoon.

In a report on Tuesday, Philippine National Police Drug Enforcement Group (PDEG) chief Brig. Gen. Dionisio Bartolome Jr. identified the suspect as Mohammad Tammy Bagatao, a.k.a. Joseph Manasseh Acogido, 51, who was arrested by members of the NAIA Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group during the interdiction operation at Central Mail Exchange Center (CMEC), Domestic Road, Pasay City around 5 p.m.

The police seized from the suspect three self-sealing transparent plastic pouches containing around 3kg. of white crystalline substance suspected to be shabu and three different IDs.

The suspect and pieces of evidence were brought to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) office for proper documentation and disposition.

The suspect will be charged with violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. (PNA)