The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) is seeking the help of its counterparts in Malaysia and China to determine the origin of P4.3 billion worth of methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu intercepted Tuesday in Manila.

In May 2017 a P6.4 billion shipment of shabu from China slipped through the Bureau of Customs (BoC). Although seized later, the controversy led to a congressional investigation and a revamp of the bureau.

“The intercepted shabu was shipped from Malaysia into the country. We can suspect that Malaysia was used only as a transshipment point. However, the country of origin of the illegal drug is yet to be determined,” PDEA Director General Aaron N. Aquino said.

Aquino added he had already directed the PDEA International Cooperation and Foreign Affairs Service to closely coordinate with its counterparts in Malaysia and China regarding the intercepted shabu shipment.

The illegal drug shipment, weighing approximately 500 kilograms and concealed inside a couple of magnetic scrap lifters, was seized at Manila International Container Port (MICP) through the combined effort of PDEA, the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the BoC.

Aquino said a confidential informant tipped PDEA Regional Office-National Capital Region under Director Ismael Fajardo Jr. and the PNP Civil Security Group on the impending shipment of illegal drugs from Malaysia into the country.

Authorities managed to track the shabu shipment carried by vessel AS Cecilia and set to be unloaded at MICP.

The shipment was consigned to Vecaba Trading under the name of Vedasto Cabral Baraquel of Barangay Lalud, Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro.

“Their identities are currently the subject of investigation,” Aquino said.