CLARK FREEPORT ZONE, Pampanga — Authorities intercepted a high-value drug shipment worth PHP75 million in a joint airport interdiction operation spearheaded by the Bureau of Customs (BOC) and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Region III on Friday afternoon, August 29.
At around 5:27 p.m., operatives flagged a suspicious parcel declared as an “Industrial Water Chiller” with tracking number 883725003206. The package, which arrived from Mexico and was consigned to an address in Cainta, Rizal, was found to contain 11.04 kilograms of methamphetamine hydrochloride (shabu).
Two suspects, identified only by their aliases “Dexs,” 52, of Cebu, and “Maca,” 54, of Tarlac, were arrested during the operation. They are now facing charges for violation of Sections 4, 11, and 20, Article II of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
The operation was carried out by the Clark Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group (CRK-IADITG), composed of the BOC, PDEA Region III, and partner agencies including the PDEA Pampanga Provincial Office, National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Pampanga District Office, PNP Aviation Security Unit 3, PNP Drug Enforcement Group (PDEG), PNP Mabalacat CPS, and the BOC’s Customs Anti-Illegal Drug Task Force (CAIDTF), Port of Clark.
Recovered from the suspects were non-drug evidence such as identification documents, a mobile phone, a vehicle, and shipping papers linked to the smuggling attempt. The confiscated shabu will undergo laboratory testing.
PDEA Director General Undersecretary Isagani R. Nerez lauded the seamless coordination among agencies, saying the seizure underscores the government’s determination to stop the flow of illegal drugs at the country’s ports of entry.
“This interdiction success underscores our united front against international drug trafficking. We will remain vigilant in safeguarding our ports and borders to protect Filipino communities from the threat of illegal drugs,” Nerez said.
If convicted, the suspects face life imprisonment and fines ranging from PHP500,000 to PHP10 million.
The CRK-IADITG vowed to intensify operations in line with the Bagong Pilipinas campaign of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., adopting a whole-of-nation approach against illegal drugs. — Jason de Asis