Dog tips off Customs on P56-million shabu in balikbayan box

A sniffer dog tipped off members of the Bureau of Customs on a drug shipment worth pver P56 million inside a balikbayan box at the Manila International Container Port (MICP).

According to Jun Veneracion's report on "24 Oras," the BOC said the package might have been a test shipment if the modus would succeed. 

After the x-ray inspection, the dog scratched a particular balikbayan box—an indication that there might be drugs inside.

The contents of the box were electric fans and water heaters, but it was discovered that there were drugs wrapped inside the items.

That the items contained shabu was confirmed when checked by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.

An estimated eight kilos of shabu were confiscated, with a street value of over P56 million. 

The shipment arrived at the Manila International Container Port on April 7. Its contents were declared as household items, shoes, or motorcycle parts from Thailand.

“Meron na po kaagad tayo nakuhang initial raw intel information na merong illegal drugs na manggagaling po sa Thailand kaya sunud-sunod na po ang ating profile ng shipments na dumarating lalong lalo na po itong mga balikbayan boxes,” said Alvin Enciso, chief of Customs Intelligence and Investigation Services (CIIS). 

(We have immediately obtained initial raw intel information that illegal drugs would be coming from Thailand, so profiled shipments one after the other, especially these balikbayan boxes.) 

The authorities are investigating who sent it from Thailand and who should receive it in the Philippines. The importer is also responsible for the shipment.

"Definitely po masu-suspend po yung importer of record; the case records will also be referred to the Bureau Action Team against smuggling for the proper case buildup and prosecution ng mga tao behind," said Atty. Agaceta. 

(Definitely, the importer of record will be suspended, and the casrecords will also be referred to the Bureau Action Team against smuggling for the proper case buildup and prosecution of the people behind) 

The BOC then advised the overseas Filipino workers to only send balikbayan boxes through accredited forwarders to ensure legitimate and fast processing.

Based on the intelligence information of the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service, there are still shipments of drugs that may be smuggled into the Philippines using balikbayan boxes. Hence, the customs personnel at the docks are always on alert. —NB, GMA Integrated News