The Bureau of Customs (BOC), Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), Philippine National Police (PNP), and Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) have apprehended the consignee of a package containing one kilo of methamphetamine hydrochloride, locally known as shabu, worth P6.8 million.
The suspect, identified as Edison Chua, was apprehended through a controlled delivery on November 12 at a sports bar in Makati City. Also arrested was Chua’s companion identified as a certain Brian Bantegui.
The shabu was seized last November 6, 2019 at the FedEx warehouse in the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Complex, concealed in a water filter that was shipped from San Antonio, Texas, USA.
BOC-NAIA personnel then conducted a 100% physical examination of the package, which was followed by initial field tests conducted by the Customs Anti-illegal Drugs Task Force that showed the presence of shabu.
The consignee and the shabu will be turned over to PDEA for inquest proceedings for violation of Republic Act (RA) No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act, in relation to sections 118 (Prohibited Importation), 1113 (Goods Liable for Seizure and Forfeiture) and 1401 (Unlawful Importation) of RA 10863, otherwise known as the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act.
BOC-NAIA district collector Carmelita M. Talusan stated they will remain vigilant in preventing the entry of illegal drugs and contrabands into the country. This is BOC-NAIA’s 58th drug bust within 19 months.
