MANILA – Anti-drug authorities confiscated illegal drugs valued at around PHP718 million in separate operations in Manila and Cavite, resulting in the arrest of two suspects, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) reported on Saturday.
PDEA, together with the Bureau of Customs and the Philippine Coast Guard, intercepted 800 kilograms of suspected marijuana at the Manila International Container Port in Tondo during an inspection shortly after midnight.
The contraband was discovered concealed inside shipment packages during examination procedures at Container Facility Station 3 of the port.
A suspect using the alias “Manalo,” a 44-year-old resident of Legazpi City, was arrested after authorities traced the shipment to him.
The operation led to the recovery of 80 plastic storage boxes containing multiple vacuum-sealed plastic bags filled with suspected marijuana. Authorities also seized the suspect’s cellphone and identification card.
The confiscated drugs were estimated to have a street value of PHP640 million, based on government valuation standards.
In a separate operation on Friday, PDEA agents conducted a controlled delivery in Barangay Bucandala I, Imus City, where another suspect identified by the alias “Moel” was apprehended.
The suspect had claimed two balikbayan boxes sent through a cargo forwarding service. Authorities later discovered that the packages contained illegal drugs concealed in plastic packets.
Seized from the boxes were 25.4 kilograms of marijuana (kush) and 11.4 kilograms of suspected shabu, with a combined estimated value of PHP78.1 million.
Items recovered during the operation also included cash allegedly used in an attempted bribe, identification cards, cargo documents, delivery receipts, a cellphone, clothing, drug paraphernalia, and a vehicle believed to be connected to the illegal activity.
Authorities said the confiscated drugs will undergo laboratory examination at the PDEA Laboratory Service, while the suspects will face charges for violations of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
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