HULI sa mga tauhan ng Bureau of Customs-Port of Clark, kasama ng Customs Anti-Illegal Drugs Task Force (CAIDTF) at Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), ang claimant ng Ketamine na may halagang P2,120,000, sa isang joint controlled delivery operation sa Pasig City noong Mayo 18, 2023.
Sa naunang naka-tag bilang kahina-hinala sa X-ray Inspection Project (XIP) personnel, ang shipment ay naging pakay ng K9 sniffing ng Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) K9 Unit, na nagbigay ng positibong indikasyon sa presensya ng dangerous drugs.
Ang shipment ay sinasabing naglalaman ng “chocolates” na agad isinailalim sa isang physical examination na naging daan ng pagkakadiskubre sa isang glass container na puno ng white crystalline substances na nakalagay sa loob ng glass ng Imperial Rose Scented Candle.
Sa PDEA chemical laboratory analysis ng samples, nakumpirma ang substances bilang Ketamine, isang dangerous drug sa ilalim ng Republic Act (RA) No. 9165 o ang Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
Dahil dito, isang Warrant of Seizure and Detention ang agad na inisyu laban sa shipment matapos na makitaan ng probable cause para sa paglabag sa Section 118 (g), 119 (d), and 1113 par. (f), (I), and (l)-(3) and (4) ng Customs Modernization and Tariff Act in relation to RA No. 9165.
Kaugnay nito, ang mga elemento ng Port at PDEA ay nagtungo at nagsagawa ng joint controlled delivery operation sa importer’s address sa Pasig City, na nagresulta ng pagkakaaresto ng isang 23-year-old male claimant. Habang nakatakas naman ang isa pang male claimant.
“We commend the vigilance of our Customs Examiners, XIP, CAIDTF, CIIS, and we also recognize the support of PDEA in our illegal drug apprehensions. The series of drug seizures at the Port of Clark proves our full commitment to the priority program of Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio to curb smuggling,” ani District Collector Atty. Elvira Cruz.
“This is another successful drug bust that shows our consistent effort in preventing smuggling in all forms. Rest assured that the Bureau of Customs is further strengthening its enforcement and intelligence capabilities to protect our borders,” ayon kay Commissioner Bienvenido Y. Rubio. (JOEL O. AMONGO)
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