By Fernan Angeles
In an anti-illegal drug operation, authorities found 12 kilograms of shabu worth P81.6 million at the J&T Express Regional Headquarters in Mandaue City during a random inspection Saturday afternoon.
In a statement on Sunday, August 16, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) said its Regional Office 7 – Seaport Interdiction Unit conducted the operation around 3 p.m.
“During the course of the K9 paneling and sweeping of cargoes, the PDEA K9 showed indicators that the three black boxes with LED spotlight contained illegal drugs,” PDEA said.
As such, PDEA interdiction team subjected the three boxes to X-ray examination at Pier 3 in Cebu City where an X-ray machine is available.
According to PDEA, the X-ray examination indicated that the boxes actually contained organic substance contrary to the declared cargo contents.
“The boxes were opened and upon inspection of the items, all boxes contained a total of 12 kilos vacuum sealed shabu placed in tea bags and all individually wrapped and sealed with black rubber,” it said.
“Random screening tests were done which tested positive for the presence of meth hydrochloride,” it added.