
CEBU CITY — Authorities intercepted packs of suspected shabu that were concealed in the luggage of a South African national who arrived at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) on Wednesday night, Feb 1.
The seized illegal drugs weighed 17.6 kilos with an estimated value of P120 million, said Leia Alcantara, information officer of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Central Visayas (PDEA-7).
The suspected shabu was found stuffed in a briefcase and two suitcases owned by Pietro Aliquo, who arrived in Cebu from Doha, Qatar.
Personnel of the Bureau of Customs Port of Cebu-Subport of Mactan sought assistance from the PDEA-7 Airport Interdiction Unit (AIU) and other law enforcement agencies when they detected suspicious items stuffed in the luggage that was examined through an X-ray machine.
“Bulik,” a narcotic detection dog, alerted his handler of the possible presence of dangerous drugs when the K9 team inspected the luggage.
A thorough check of the three luggage led to the discovery of 10 packs of suspected shabu weighing around 17,699 grams worth P120,353,200, said Alcantara.
Initial tests on the substances conducted by a PDEA-7 chemist showed that what were found in the luggage were dangerous drugs, Alcantara added.
The seized items were submitted to the PDEA-7 laboratory for further chemical analysis.
The owner of the luggage will face charges for violation of Section 4 (importation of dangerous drugs), Article II of the Republic Act 9165.