17 Feb 320 Drums Containing Shabu Chemical Confiscated by BOC-NorthMin
Original Image Source: EM ESBER
Bureau of Customs (BOC)-Northern Mindanao confiscated hundreds of plastic drums of hydrochloric acid, one of the ingredients to produce methamphetamine hydrochloride or commonly known as “shabu.”
According to a report from Sun.Star, authorities from the Mindanao Container Terminal (MCT) sub-port in Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental caught the said chemicals were transported without permit.
320 drums were imported from India here in the local port on February 1, as stated in BOC-Northern Mindanao examiners’ report.
Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) operatives, BOC’s Enforcement Security Service, officers from Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS), and the broker’s representative inspected and witnessed the chemical on February 14.
The cargo hold “a dangerous chemical” and “is one of the essential elements or chemicals used in making ‘shabu’,” said Alvin Enciso, officer-in-charge of the BOC-Northern Mindanao CIIS.
The chemicals’ consignee was identified by BOC-Northern Mindanao as Juchem Enterprises located in Butuan City.
The conducted initial examination showed a conflict of the consignee’s failure to secure and submit the required import permit, said Enciso.
He has also stated that the consignees told the Customs that the imported chemical will be supplied to a mining company. The PDEA and CIIS are still validating if the statement is true.
Enciso said that the cargo has violated PDEA, Dangerous Drug Board, Food and Drugs Administration and Department of Environment and Natural Resources regulations, also the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act, which strictly prohibits imported and regulated items without the necessary permits.
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