Cocaine sent via forwarder

MANILA, Philippines - The Bureau of Customs discovered P250,000 worth of cocaine in a package declared to contain sunglasses mailed from Chicago, Illinois, USA.

Gerardo Campo, collector of BOC-subport of Mactan, said that the shipment arrived at FedEx Mactan last December 11 and was examined by Customs examiner Rey Gonzaga on December 15.

Gonzaga flagged the package for having questionable weight; it was too heavy to contain just sunglasses.

Campo said they became suspicious after discovering a white powdery substance in a canister, which was wrapped in a white shirt inside the package.

“Personal package ni siya from Chicago, and gamay lang siya nga box, rectangular in form, it was declared as sunglasses ang sulod,” Campo said.

The package came from a certain Kevin Pillez of 1523, West Polk, Chicago, Illinois. The consignee was Jonah Oliverio of 26 V. Ranudo St., Cebu City.

Since FedEx delivered packages door-to-door, Campo said they asked the forwarding firm to tell Oliverio the package was being withheld and to ask him to come to their office.

After Oliverio failed to appear, BOC conducted a complete examination of the package last January 9 and informed the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency about the find.

“When it was opened in the examination, walay sunglasses, mao nakita nga nay powder, gisulod balik og gi-deposit sa storage area,” Campo added.

PDEA conducted a laboratory test and confirmed it was cocaine and weighed 57.2 grams.

PDEA-7 Regional Director Jeffrey Bangsa said that their investigation revealed that Oliverio is an actual person. They are set to file charges for importation of dangerous drugs against Oliverio today. —/BRP (FREEMAN)