Photos of the seized 404 kilos of “shabu” worth P2.7 billion are presented in a joint press conference by the National Bureau of Investigation, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, and Bureau of Customs on Thursday, February 6, 2025. (Photo by Dianne Sampang/INQUIRER.net)
MANILA, Philippines — Over 400 kilograms of crystal meth, or “shabu,” worth P2.7 billion from Pakistan were seized in a January operation, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said on Thursday.
NBI Director Jaime Santiago said they immediately informed Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla after receiving intelligence from a foreign counterpart about an incoming drug shipment from Karachi, Pakistan.
Santiago added that Remulla formed a task force composed of the NBI, Bureau of Customs, and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) to carry out the operation.
“‘Our efforts were successful. We intercepted over 404 kilos of shabu worth P2.7 billion,” Santiago said in a mix of English and Filipino during a press conference.
He noted that the 404.95 kilos of shabu were concealed inside boxes of food products declared as vermicelli (a type of noodle) and custards.
The Bureau of Customs inspected the container cargo on January 23.
The initial examination result of the boxes concealed as noodles and custard was found to be positive of drugs. (Photo by Dianne Sampang/INQUIRER.net)
The “Operation Stonewall” also revealed that Ayan Enterprise/Trading and Logistics was the exporter of the cargo while Red Shinting Consumer Goods Trading located in Las Piñas City was the designated consignee.
Santiago said that the five suspects used a “layering” process to import the drugs into the country. There were identified as:
- Oscar Campo Berba (Red Shinting/Consignee)
- Kevin Lee Manuel Arrio (Customs Broker)
- Richard Perlard Aguantar (Customs Broker)
- Karen Villaflor Sacro (Chairman of the Freight Forwarding Company, Ark Global Movers)
- Rey Baysa Gujilde (President of the Freight Forwarding Company, Ark Global Movers)
The NBI Director explained that, following standard operating procedure at the NBI, the operation was first presented at the inquest before being disclosed to the media nearly two weeks after the illegal drug was seized.
“The case is now with the Branch 31 of the Regional Trial Court and the five arrested suspects are there to undergo arraignment,” Santiago added.
The suspects were facing cases for violation of Section 4 of the Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 and Section 1401 of the Republic Act 10863 or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act.
‘Proper use of confidential funds’
Further, Department of Justice Spokesperson Asec. Jose Dominic Clavano IV regarded the operation as the “biggest drug bust so far this year.”
“This is an example of proper use of confidential funds. The intelligence gathering, technical operations, logistical, security, and post operations were funded by confidential funds.,” Clavano said in the same press conference.