A total of 25 drums of hydrochloric acid, a chemical reportedly being used to manufacture illegal drugs like shabu, were seized from a foreign vessel in lapu-Lapu City, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) said Sunday, Oct. 2.
In a statement, PDEA noted that hydrochloric acid “is categorized as a controlled precursor and essential chemical (CPEC) under Table II of the Philippine Table of CPEC annexed in the RA (Republic Act ) 9165 (or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002) as it is a component in the manufacture of illegal drugs like shabu.’’
The Bureau of Customs (BOC) Port of Cebu requested the PDEA Regional Office 7 to inspect the drums of unmanifested chemicals onboard a Liberian vessel legitimately anchored in Barangay Pajo, Lapu-Lapu City last Sept. 30.
Agents of the PDEA Regional Office 7 K9 Unit conducted the inspection but found no dangerous drugs in the vessel.
However, the PDEA inspectorate team revealed that the 25 drums contained 5,000 liters of hydrochloric acid but “there was no evidence that the chemical was to be unloaded in the country.’’
PDEA explained that the importation of the CPECs is governed by RA 9165 and the Customs Law.
With the said violation, the 25 drums containing Hydrochloric acid were undocumented and were confiscated by the BOC as mandated under the Customs Law and are currently stored at BOC's secured container yard in Cebu City. (Chito A. Chavez)