In line with the marching orders of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to strengthen intelligence and enforcement efforts against drug trafficking, the Bureau of Customs seized a shipment of P3.8 billion worth of suspected shabu last 23 September following successful controlled delivery operations conducted by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, the National Bureau of Investigation and the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency.

The illegal drugs arrived at the Port of Subic on 18 September 2023 from Thailand on board the vessel MV SITC SHEKOU and were subjected to x-ray scanning and examination.

Joint elements of the law enforcement agencies discovered 59 brown boxes containing 530 mixed red tea bags and golden tea bags with white crystalline substances suspected to be shabu, a dangerous drug as defined by Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

Each box also carried a plastic bag of "chicharon" or dried fish, cases of soft drinks, and sacks of feeds with markings in Thai language used to conceal the illegal drugs.

Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service director Verne Enciso said that the agency immediately issued a Warrant of Seizure and Detention against the shipment for violating Sections 118 (g), 119 (d), and 1113 par. (f), (I), and (l)-(3) and (4) of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act in relation to R.A. 9165.

The shipment was then immediately turned over to the NBI and PDEA for a controlled delivery operation.

"An operation like this demands a coordinated response between and among agencies. We need to make sure that we won't only be confiscating these harmful narcotics, but that we will also know who's leading these activities," Enciso said.

To recall, the shipment arrived on 24 September at the warehouse located at Purok 5, San Jose Malino in Mexico, Pampanga, which led to the uncovering of the identities involved in drug smuggling.

Deputy commissioner for Customs Intelligence Group Juvymax Uy commended the composite team for the successful operation.

"Narcotic interdiction remains to be at the core of our work here at the BOC. This operation demonstrates the commitment and dedication of our people to fulfill their mandates and remove this menace from our streets," said Uy.