Combined elements of the Bureau of Customs, the Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine National Police, among other enforcement units, uncovered a shipment from Mexico containing 323 kilos of methamphetamine hydrochloride (shabu) at the Manila International Container Port terminal in Manila on 4 October, Wednesday.
A belated report from the BOC said the contraband's estimated street value was P2.2 billion, concealed in a jerky beef shipment from Mexico.
The shipment arrived at the MICP on 24 February 2023 from Logistica Integral Aduanal Meyma and Aime Express Logistics SA DE CV, Mexico, and was consigned to a certain Salesbeat Within OPC.
Incidentally, the BOC Intelligence and Investigation Service received "derogatory information that the subject shipment contain illegal drugs", and accordingly monitored closely the declaration, processing, and/or movement of the same. However, despite considerable lapse of time, no goods declaration was filed for the subject shipment.
On 29 September 2023, CIIS-MICP requested the District Collector of MICP to issue a Pre-Lodgment Control Order against the subject shipment described in the covering Bill of Lading to contain laminated beef jerky.
Pursuant to PLCO issued by District Collector Romeo Rosales dated 29 September 2023, in the presence of operatives from the Customs Anti-Illegal Drug Task Force, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, BOC-X-Ray Inspection Project, Philippine National Police-Drug Enforcement Group, BOC-Enforcement and Security Service, PCG), Chamber of Customs Brokers, Inc., and CIIS-MICP, the shipments were subjected to X-ray scanning last 2 October 2023 and 100 percent physical examination, which yielded more or less 323 kilograms of shabu concealed inside the laminated beef jerky.
Thereafter, the identified shabu was temporarily loaded back inside the subject container, padlocked, and sealed with the signatures of the assigned Customs examiner and afore-identified witnesses.
Deputy Commissioner for Customs Intelligence Group Juvymax Uy said that this latest operation is not only a coordinated response to the President's call but also a fulfillment of the agency's mandate to protect the country's borders and ensure the security of all ports of entry.
On the other hand, District Collector Romeo Rosales stressed that: "Our officers continue their dedication to our border security mission, which led to this latest shabu interception. Their drive, vigilance, and alertness on a daily basis made this operation possible. We remain committed to keeping our communities safe from these narcotics while facilitating lawful goods entries."