By Junex Doronio
MANILA — In line with the marching order of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to stamp out all forms of smuggling, especially agricultural products, and dangerous drugs, alert operatives of the Bureau of Customs-X-Ray Inspection Project (BOC-XIP) under Atty. Lourdes Mangaoang thwarted an attempt to smuggle into the country an estimated P400.72 million worth of methamphetamine or “shabu” from West Africa misdeclared as spare parts.
The five yellow boxes declared as containing spare parts consigned to a certain Eduard Fajardo were earlier brought to Pair Cargo Warehouse in Pasay City.
The BOC-XIP said it was on March 16, during the conduct of regular x-ray screening at Pair Cargo warehouse that they suspected the shipments of five yellow boxes declared as “Spare Parts” with AWB No. 176 3293 4274 originating from Conakry, Guinea.
In coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), a thorough physical examination was conducted on March 20.
It was then the boxes earlier marked X by the BOC-XIP were found to contain four boxes of “Pulley D202 Engines”.
A total of 20 pulleys (10 small and 10 big) were found.
Each of the pulleys yielded three transparent ziplock bags of white crystalline substances, concealed inside the pulley.
A total of 60 zip lock bags of white crystalline substances with a total weight of 58.93 kilograms with an estimated street value of P400,724,000.
Meanwhile, Fajardo who was the supposed consignee was immediately apprehended as he was witnessing the examination.
However, the apprehended person strongly denied his involvement in the smuggling attempt and claimed that he was only paid P5,000 pesos by an individual for him to pretend as Fajardo using a fake Voter’s ID.
Later, two individuals Melanio Lopez and Steve Caro arrived to claim the package.
They were also collared by authorities.
A thorough investigation is still ongoing.
(Amado Inigo/MTVN)
