The Bureau of Customs (BC) has further stepped up its information-sharing with government's anti-narcotics agencies to prevent the smuggling of chemical precursors in making shabu following the discovery of a new modus in the manufacture of illegal drugs during two separate raids in an exclusive village in Muntinlupa City.
The BOC, through its Manila International Container Port-Intelligence and Investigation Service (MICP-CIIS), was involved in the intelligence build-up and operational planning that also led to the arrest of five people, including a French and a Canadian businessman, and confiscation of almost P150 million worth of shabu in Ayala Alabang Village, Muntinlupa City on Friday, Nov. 18, according to BOC acting Commissioner Yogi Filemon Ruiz.
Based on the information from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), the arrested suspects have been using a modified set-up in manufacturing illegal drugs wherein the liquid form of shabu is being washed with acetone to make the entire process odorless.
In past anti-illegal drugs operations, the operation of shabu laboratories was usually discovered due to the stench smell that residents would complain to the authorities. This was the reason why some shabu laboratories in the past were being set up in secluded places or in some cases near piggery farms.
"It’s practically an odorless process, which is probably why they were confident in doing it here in a residential area,” said PDEA Assistant Secretary and officer-in-charge Gregorio R. Pimentel in an interview after the Alabang operation.
“These suspects are linked to Mexican, Australian and Canadian drug trafficking groups. We are currently investigating these links and several other drug personalities,” said Pimentel.
How the operation started
The operation stemmed from derogatory information received that there are foreign nationals allegedly being involved in smuggling shabu and cocaine to Australia, according to the PDEA.
Ruiz said joint elements from different government agencies coordinated for the pursuant and implementation of the search warrants issued by Executive Judge Myra B. Quiambao of Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court against the premises located at 304 Mabolo Street and 523 Madrigal Avenue both in Ayala Alabang Village, Muntinlupa City.
Based on the report, the warrant on 304 Mabolo Street resulted in the arrest of Aurélien Cythere, 41, French national; and Mark Anthony Sayarot, 42. Seized in the area were 20 kilograms of suspected shabu worth P136 million, various Controlled Precursors and Essential Chemicals (CPECs) and laboratory equipment, several ID cards, three mobile phones, and assorted financial documents.
In another operation held on the same day at 523 Madrigal Avenue, Ayala-Alabang Village, it resulted in the arrest of Ariana Golesorkhi, 33, a Canadian; Audemar Ponsica, 31, driver; and Welmar Laban, 37, helper.
The composite team also seized two self-sealing plastic bag with more or less two kilograms of suspected shabu worth P13.6 million, UV drying machine, Fujidenzo chest freezer, hot and cold pipes, water pump tube, assorted ID cards and credit cards, assorted financial documents, passport, and several units of mobile phones.
Working together
Aside from the BOC and the PDEA, Ruiz said the two operations were participated in by the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA).
BOC Deputy Commissioner retired Maj. Gen. Juvymax Uy said the BOC and PDEA formed a Joint-Operation against illicit drugs and suspected individuals who were reported to have been into smuggling activity of shabu and cocaine to Australia on June 16 this year.
Since then, Uy said the two agencies started holding meetings in busting the group.
“I consider this a successful first step in bringing these perpetrators to justice and for them to face the full extent of the law. We’ve been after these groups for as long as I can remember. Even before I joined BOC, the agency has been after these smugglers of illegal drugs,” said Uy.
“But while the agency does its very best, we can’t deny that many of these continue to circumvent our laws and enter our borders. With my arrival here, my goal is to maximize the potentials of our collaborative efforts and work harder to stop the menace of illegal drugs,” he added.
Uy said CIIS Director Jeoffrey Tacio and PDEA Director Adrian Alvarino are continuously coordinating after the successful anti-drug operation.
Ruiz, for his part, cited the heightened border protection efforts that are at the core of the agency’s role under the Marcos administration.
Earlier, the BOC has deployed some of its speedboats in areas identified as hotspots for smuggling.
“We are working continually to strengthen our collaborative efforts with other partner agencies to end the smuggling of illegal drugs and all other products into the country,” said Ruiz.