Photos courtesy of BOC
The Bureau of Customs (BOC), through the Port of Cebu in collaboration with the Seaport Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group-VII (SIDITG-VII), intercepted two suspects carrying 25 kilograms of Methamphetamine Hydrochloride, commonly known as “Shabu,” valued at approximately PhP170 million during a targeted anti-drug operation at Pier 5, Cebu City.
Authorities conducted a random inspection of a merchant vessel arriving with vehicles and cargo. During the operation, a pearl red Mitsubishi Mirage was flagged for further inspection. A K9 unit sweep detected the presence of illegal substances inside a carton. Further examination confirmed 25 plastic packages containing “shabu,” leading to the immediate seizure of the contraband. Two suspects—a mother and her son—were arrested and are now in the custody of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Region VII.
The SIDITG-VII, comprising the BOC-Port of Cebu, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Region VII, Philippine Navy, Cebu Port Authority, Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine National Police (PNP) Maritime Group, PNP Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit, and Cebu City Police Station 4, successfully thwarted the smuggling attempt through coordinated efforts. The BOC played a key role in the operation, contributing enhanced intelligence-sharing, surveillance, and port monitoring to prevent illegal drugs from reaching the streets.
The arrested suspects will face charges for violation of Section 5 of Republic Act 9165, the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, which penalizes the illegal transportation, distribution, and sale of prohibited substances.
Under President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s leadership, the government has intensified efforts to intercept illegal drugs by focusing on large-scale operations and dismantling supply chains.
The Port of Cebu, under the leadership of District Collector Felipe Geoffrey K. De Vera and with the guidance of Commissioner Bienvenido Y. Rubio, continues to strengthen its enforcement operations to prevent drug smuggling.
Photo courtesy of BOC
District Collector De Vera commended the collaborative efforts of all involved agencies, emphasizing the port’s unwavering commitment to intelligence-driven monitoring and inter-agency coordination.
Commissioner Rubio also reaffirmed the BOC’s dedication in protecting Philippine borders, stating, “This operation is a testament to our strengthened border security measures and strategic partnerships with law enforcement agencies. We will remain vigilant in our mission to prevent the illegal drug trade from infiltrating our country.”