By Ferdinand Patinio
MANILA – The Bureau of Customs (BOC), through the Port of Cebu, intercepted on Thursday a traveler from South Africa carrying shabu valued at approximately PHP27 million at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA).
Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno, who was at the airport during the operation, personally inspected the seized items, a news release from the BOC said Friday.
The unidentified passenger arrived aboard a flight from South Africa via Hong Kong on Sept. 18.
During the screening at the International Arrival Area, Terminal 2 of MCIA, the passenger’s luggage was flagged for further inspection. The baggage underwent profiling and non-intrusive examination by Customs personnel, which revealed suspicious x-ray images.
The items were then endorsed for further verification, where a K-9 sweep signaled the possible presence of illegal drugs. A subsequent physical examination confirmed the discovery of two packs containing white crystalline substance suspected to be methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu, concealed inside the passenger’s luggage.
The contraband weighed approximately four kilograms. Field tests conducted by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Regional Laboratory confirmed the substance to be shabu.
“We will continue to strengthen our detection and enforcement measures to ensure that our ports do not become entry points for these dangerous substances,” Nepomuceno said in a statement.
The BOC chief also acknowledged the strong efforts of the Port of Cebu, its Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service, Enforcement and Security Service, and X-ray Inspection Project, whose coordinated actions led to the successful operation. (PNA)
