BoC confiscates P134M worth of shabu and marijuana at NAIA

Customs commissioner Isidro Lapena presents the confiscated illegal drugs to the media

The Bureau of Customs (BoC) seized P133.6 million worth of shabu and dried marijuana leaves at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

Customs commissioner Isidro Lapena and NAIA-Customs district collector Mimel Talusan presented earlier today the confiscated 17.96 kilos of shabu and 1.03 kilos of dried marijuana leaves that were hidden in five inbound parcels sent from the United States from May 26 to June 7, 2018.

The illegal drugs were declared as DVD players, furniture, cereals and chairs and were intercepted by customs at the FedEx warehouse.

Lapena said the senders were identified as Taylor Dizion, Eagler Po Box Rental, Gina Gamboa, Raven Mesina, Donna Mendoza. On the other hand, the consignees were Christina Dizon, Alvin Santiago, Sergio Gamboa Natividad, Gracen Washington and Ricardo Mendoza.

Lapena said the parcels were subjected to controlled delivery but the names and addresses of the consignees were all fictitious.

“The Port of NAIA, Customs Anti-Illegal Drugs Task Force, X-ray operatives and Enforcement Group are devoted to doing their duty and are in full support to the BOC drive to strengthen vigilance towards curbing the entry of such anti-social and prohibited goods and drugs,” Talusan said.

Meanwhile, another two kilos of shabu worth P13.6 million that were seized on June 20 at the Clark international airport were also presented.

Lapena also signed a memorandum order addressed to all customs district collectors that required the examination of hand-carry luggage of all arriving passengers assisted by government employees.

Lapena signed the order in response to the alleged smuggling attempt by a senior official from the Department of Justice.

“I am also discouraging the salubong [assisting] system at the airport,” Lapena added.