A TOTAL of 1.5 tons of suspected shabu with an estimated value of P10-billion were seized off the coast of Zambales early Friday morning, the Philippine Navy said.
Meanwhile, government agents at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport foiled an attempt to smuggle into the country over ₱16 million worth of ketamine and cannabis at the Central Mail Exchange Center in Pasay City.
According to Navy spokesman Capt. John Percie Alcos, the case build up and subsequent apprehension was a joint operation of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and the Northern Luzon Naval Command.
The seized illegal substance was taken to the Naval Operating Base in Subic for documentation and turnover to proper authorities.
“This is one of the largest illegal drug apprehensions in the history of the Philippine Navy in support of the national government’s campaign against prohibited substances,” Alcos said.
In another development, a composite team from the NAIA Interagency Drug Interdiction Task Group, the Bureau of Customs, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), and the Philippine National Police – Aviation Security Group (PNP-Avsegroup) interdicted the P16-milllion marijuana shipment confiscated at the Pasay mail exchange facility.
The packages which came from the United States, Poland, and Thailand, were flagged during routine X-ray screenings which indicated the presence of suspicious images. This prompted immediate K9 inspections and manual checks, leading to the discovery of illegal drugs hidden inside the parcels.
During the operation, 3,025 grams of suspected ketamine, concealed inside a coffee maker, with an estimated street value of ₱15.1 million and 858 grams of suspected marijuana kush, concealed in multiple boxes and vacuum-sealed bags with a street value of ₱1.13 million were seized.
Authorities described ketamine as a highly dangerous and addictive substance while kush is a hybrid cannabis.
The seized items were properly marked, photographed, and inventoried in the presence of authorized witnesses and were immediately turned over to the PDEA national office for appropriate disposition.
“No agency works alone in the fight against illegal drugs. This operation demonstrates the power of unified action, where every unit plays its part and every coordination leads to real results. Expect more operations like this as we continue to strengthen our collective efforts to protect our gateways and our people,” said Avesegroup chief Brig. Gen. Christopher Abecia.
Earlier this month, the same team arrested a 28-year-old woman after she claimed a parcel containing shabu worth over ₱6.8 million, also at the CMEC. The shipment, which originated from Ontario, Canada, was declared as ladies’ wear and bags, indicating a case of technical smuggling.
