A crew member of a cargo ship has been arrested by the authorities in Batanes after he was caught with suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride or "shabu" that was concealed in a box of airpod during an inspection, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said Monday, Nov. 21.
The PCG identified the suspect as Wilbert Jay Salengua Camacho, 28, of Barangay Ihubok I, Basco, Batanes.
Camacho, an oiler at MV Everwin Star 3, was nabbed by the authorities after Snappy, a Coast Guard Working Dog (CGWD), detected two sachets of suspected shabu inside an airpod in his cabin last Saturday.
The operation was held by the Coast Guard K9 Force in coordination with Basco Police Station, PCG Special Operation Unit-Northeastern Luzon, Coast Guard Intelligence Force, Coast Guard Station Batanes, Batanes Provincial Police Office, Marine Battalion Landing Team, and Philippine Port Authority.
Camacho was brought to the Basco Police Station for an investigation while the seized items were turned over to the local police for proper disposition.
Camacho will face charges for violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.