BOC, PDEA INTERCEPT P292.4-M SHABU IN TALC STONES FROM  AFGHANISTAN

THE Bureau of Customs (BOC) and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) intercepted around 43 kilograms of suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride (shabu) worth P292.4 million concealed in fabric pouches designed to resemble talc stones in a shipment from Afghanistan at the Manila International Container Port (MICP).

The shipment, consisting of two 20-foot containers declared as “talc stones,” was subjected to a 100% physical examination as a result of the BOC’s stringent profiling and monitoring of high-risk shipments.

Authorities noted similarities with a previous Afghanistan-linked container declared as “marble” that was intercepted at the MICP on 10 February and found to contain approximately 40 kilograms of dangerous drugs worth P272 million.

During the examination, authorities discovered suspected illegal drugs concealed inside fabric pouches coated with a material resembling plaster of Paris and crafted to blend with the shipment’s declared contents.

Confirmatory laboratory tests on samples subsequently confirmed the presence of shabu.

BOC Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno emphasized the role of risk management and vigilant border controls in preventing illegal drugs from entering the country.

“Ang operasyong ito ay patunay na effective ang mahigpit na profiling at risk management ng Bureau of Customs. By closely monitoring high-risk shipments and identifying recurring smuggling patterns, mas napapalakas natin ang ating kakayahan na pigilan ang pagpasok ng illegal drugs sa bansa. Pinasasalamatan natin ang PDEA sa kanilang mahalagang ambag sa matagumpay na pagkakasabat na ito,” Nepomuceno said.

The examination was jointly conducted by the PDEA and BOC, through the Customs Anti-Illegal Drug Task Force (CAIDTF), Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS), Enforcement and Security Service (ESS), X-ray Inspection Project (XIP), and other concerned units.