P43-M suspected illegal drugs seized from warehouse at NAIA -- NBI
More than P43 million worth of suspected illegal drugs have been seized from a warehouse at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said on Monday, March 16.
The NBI said the seizures were done by the bureau and its fellow member agencies of the NAIA Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group (NAIA-IADITG) at the DHL Express Philippines facility last March 2.
It said the suspected illegal drugs were first found from an abandoned parcel from Lusaka, Zambia that was bound for Dasmarinas City, Cavite.
The parcel, it said contained 3,596 grams of suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu with an estimated street value of P24,452,800.
It also said that two more abandoned parcels from Berlin, Germany addressed to a family in Pasig City were found to also contain 4,046 grams of suspected Ecstasy valued at around P5,259,800.
“In a subsequent sweep, authorities flagged an inbound parcel declared as a ‘Steel Roller,’ also originating from Zambia and destined for General Trias, Cavite,” the NBI said.
Upon inspection and testing with a drug analyzer, the NBI said “the ‘roller’ was found to be a vessel for Shabu” worth more than P13.4 million.
NBI Director Melvin A. Matibag said “the successful execution of this operation reflects the agency's strategic efforts and collaborative approach in combating the illegal drug trade."
Matibag said the bureau will remain unwavering in its mission to enhance the government's comprehensive anti-drug campaign.