Customs seizes shabu chemical worth P1.5 billion

MANILA, Philippines - Customs Commissioner Angelito A. Alvarez announced yesterday the seizure of 32 drums of toluene an ingredient in the manufacture of shabu, by the Bureau of Customs X-Ray Inspection Project (XIP) at the Manila International Container Port.

Found inside a 40-footer container van from Seikou, China, the shipment worth P1.5 billion was misdeclared as ladies handbags by its consignee, Trispher Trading of 27 Sampaguita Granada St., Quezon City.

According to lawyer Lourdes V. Mangaoang, head of the XIP, X-ray scanning revealed concealed drums at the container’s rear end, unseen by a cursory physical examination by the Customs examiner. The substances were subjected to analysis by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and in the Aug. 20, 2010 report by PDEA chemist Sheila M. Esguerra, were proved positive for toluene. Each drum contained 240 liters of toluene or a total of 6,400 liters convertible to more than two tons of shabu with an estimated street value of P1.5 billion.

According to Republic Act 9165, otherwise known as the Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, under the 1988 United Nations Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, toluene is a narcotic and psychotropic substance that crosses the blood-brain barrier and acts primarily upon behavior. Narcotics are addictive drugs that reduce the user’s perception of pain, and induces euphoria.

To use, sell or distribute toluene, a PDEA license must be issued prior to importation, according to Article 11, Sextion 4 of the Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. Anyone who imports it, regardless of quantity and purity without the necessary PDEA license, can be imprisoned from 12 to 20 years. PDEA certified that Trispher Trading, the consignee, is not registered as a retailer, end user, distributor, manufacturer or importer of controlled substances.

Mangaoang recommended the issuance of a warrant of seizure and detention (WSD) against the shipment for violation of Section 2503 of the TCCP and RA No. 9165 in relation to Section 2530 of the TCCP. She also recommended the filing of criminal cases against the importer and other persons for violation of the Dangerous Drugs Act and for smuggling.

Alvarez commended the XIP and referred to the ­X-ray scanner as “an effective tool against contraband smuggling.” He also pointed out that this shipment is the biggest toluene haul in the history of the Customs bureau.