BOC, PDEA SEIZE P8.52M WORTH OF LIQUID COCAINE; CONSIGNEE ARRESTED

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) seized millions of pesos worth of liquid cocaine in Pampanga, which led to the arrest of its consignee.

In a statement on Friday, the BOC said its operatives from the Port of Clark along with PDEA agents arrested the consignee, a 32-year old Colombian, for possession of 1,608 grams of liquid cocaine with an estimated value of P8,522,400.

The arrest was made during a controlled delivery operation last June 25, 2024, the Customs said.

The suspect was undergoing custodial investigation by PDEA as of posting time for violation of Republic Act 9165 or Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act in relation to RA 10863 or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act.

The BOC said the discovery of the liquid cocaine came after the shipment, declared as "Clothing Remindershat capi product," which arrived on June 21 at the Port of Clark, was subjected to a derogatory report from PDEA.

With this, the BOC said its X-ray Inspection Project (XIP) personnel marked the shipment for physical examination due to unusual x-ray images.

Canine sniffing was conducted, the bureau said, which indicated the possible presence of an illegal substance.

Authorities then conducted a physical examination of the shipment, leading to the discovery of three plastic bottles of yellowish liquid substance.

Upon subjecting the samples to field tests, the possible presence of "Mixture of PET Plastic, Ephedrine and Ethyl Benzoate, Cyclohexyl Fentanyl, Controlled Product: Opioid" was found.

The samples were then turned over to PDEA for chemical laboratory analysis, "which confirmed that said substances contain cocaine, a dangerous drug under R.A. No. 9165, as amended."

A warrant of seizure and detention was issued against the subject shipment for violation of Section 118 (g), 119 (d), and 1113 par. f, I, and l (3 and 4) of RA 10863 in relation to RA 9165, as amended.

For his part, District Collector Erastus Sandino Austria emphasized the Port of Clark's commitment to the BOC's anti-illegal drugs campaign.

The operation was conducted in collaboration with the Customs Anti-Illegal Drug Task Force (CAIDTF), the XIP, the Enforcement and Security Service (ESS), and the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS).

Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio said, "The BOC is steadfast in its commitment in preventing the entry of illegal drugs into the Philippines."

"Through rigorous inspections and coordinated efforts with other law enforcement agencies, we aim to safeguard the nation from the dangers of drug trafficking and ensure the safety and welfare of all Filipinos," said Rubio. — VDV, GMA Integrated News

This article BOC, PDEA seize P8.52M worth of liquid cocaine; consignee arrested was originally published in GMA News Online.

2024-07-05T08:07:24Z dg43tfdfdgfd