Customs seizes equipment, ingredients for making shabu

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) seized equipment and ingredients used for making metamphetamine — known as shabu — which were stored and transported in two twenty-foot metal containers that arrived at the Port of Manila. The shipments, which were declared as kitchenware and chemical calcium carbonate, arrived separately from Taiwan on May 11 and 12, Customs Commissioner Napoleon Morales said. Both containers were seized for violating Republic Act 9165, also known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act, Section 101 k in relation to Sec 2530 (f) of the Tariff and Customs Code. The shipments were consigned to a John Nicole Industrial Sales with address at Escolta, Manila. In the meantime, the shipments’ registered proprietor and broker was a certain Jose Mariano Jr., who has been requested for inquest for the illegal importation. Information about the illegal shipment was received from the Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Force of the Philippine National Police, an initial report from Customs Intelligence Division Chief Dino Tuazon. Upon discovering the illegal materials, Morales ordered the issuance of a seizure and detention warrant against the shipments. “The Bureau of Customs is the country’s first line of defense against these kinds of threat. That is why we have remained vigilant in protecting our borders against these cases of illegal drug trafficking," Morales said. The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency has also been notified about the seizure, the Customs bureau said. The bureau will also conduct the necessary follow up operations jointly with the PNP anti-drug authorities. - RJAB Jr., GMANews.TV