THE Bureau of Customs (BOC) has seized a private yacht in Batangas allegedly involved in transporting 1.4 tons of shabu to the Philippines valued at approximately P9.68 billion.
The operation, held in collaboration with the PNP and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, also led to the identification of three additional undocumented yachts that reportedly belong to the unidentified person linked to the drug haul.
The drugs were intercepted at a police checkpoint in Alitagtag, Batangas last April 15.
The BOC issued a Warrant of Seizure and Detention last June 27 against the yachts for violation of Section 1113 of Republic Act 10863, the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act.
The yachts, currently docked in Nasugbu, will be turned over to the Port of Manila Auction and Cargo Disposal Division.
“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 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 added.
3 CHINESE NABBED
Three Chinese were arrested by PDEA operatives in a buy-bust operation in Pampanga last Monday night.
In a statement, PDEA reported that approximately 500 grams of shabu worth P3.4 million were seized from the three Chinese during an operation at the Shanghai Building in Barangay Balibago, Angeles City.
“A non-bailable offense of Section 5 (Sale of Dangerous Drugs) in relation to Section 26B (Conspiracy to Sell Drugs) of RA 9165 will be filed against the arrested suspects,” the PDEA said.
The suspects were identified as 23-year-old Bin Da, 21-year-old Hei Xiao, and 20-year-old Gua Xiao, who are all residing at the Shanghai Building.
“The suspects were extremely circumspect while transacting, and it took a month to arrange a drug deal with the suspects,” noted PDEA.
The PDEA said the suspects also yielded seven assorted touchscreen cellular phones; two car keys; and the marked money used by the poseur-buyer.
The PNP said it would conduct a probe on the alleged evidence planting by police officers during an anti-drug operation in Dueñas, Iloilo over the weekend.
In a press conference, PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said they are set to look into the allegations, a short video of which has since gone viral on social media.
“If we see any lapses, we will initiate appropriate action on this matter,” said Fajardo.
In the video of the buy-bust operation, the poseur-buyer can be seen picking up a sachet containing illegal drugs from the floor and bringing it close to the suspect.
Fajardo said the viral video is only part of the longer clip of the incident that happened during the arrest of a suspect identified as alias “Atan.”
“Based on our interview with the operation unit, when the poseur-buyer executed a pre-arranged signal that the purchase of illegal drugs was consummated, there was resistance from the suspect that he was made to drop on the ground and the plastic sachet fell. Then, our poseur-buyer picked the drugs that he bought from the suspect,” Fajardo said. — With Gerard Naval
