The Bureau of Customs (BOC) seized over P9.68 billion of illicit drugs from a private yacht in the waters of Batangas.
Agents from the BOC, Philippine National Police, and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency investigated a private yacht at a checkpoint in Alitagtag, Batangas that yielded 1.4 tons of meth or shabu.
Subsequent investigations by the BOC uncovered three more undocumented private yachts, all belonging to the same owner of the first yacht.
The private yachts were docked in Nasugbu, Batangas and will be turned over to the Port of Manila (POM) Auction and Cargo Disposal Division as per the Customs Administrative Order No. 10-2020 "Seizure and Forfeiture Proceedings and Appeals Process."
The BOC attributed the operation's success to the critical intelligence developed by the Customs Investigation and Intelligence Service Field Station, under the leadership of Director Verne Y. Enciso.
"President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has tasked us to ensure that our borders are secure, our trade is lawful, and our communities are safe. In response, we have launched a series of comprehensive initiatives aimed at dismantling drug smuggling, among others, through eradicating customs fraud," Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Y. Rubio said.
"Our team is working tirelessly to collaborate closely with international partners, law enforcement agencies, and other government bodies to ensure coordinated and effective responses. Their efforts have already yielded significant results, and we are confident that, with continued vigilance, we will disrupt and dismantle these criminal operations," he also said.
The BOC issued a seizure and detention warrant against the subject vessels for violation of Section 1113 of Republic Act 10863, also known as the "Customs Modernization and Tariff Act."