Parcel from Africa yields shabu, consignee arrested

he Bureau of Customs (BOC) seized 800 grams of methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu with an estimated street value of

million at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

NAIA district collector Mimel Talusan said the shabu was concealed in a package declared as art table, which arrived from the Democratic Republic of Congo in Africa.

The package containing shabu arrived at a cargo forwarders’ warehouse at the NAIA last Friday, September 21.

The BOC-NAIA presented the seized illegal drugs to members of the media Saturday night following the joint anti-drug operation.

Talusan identified the consignee as Julie Ann Lozada, while the sender was a certain Asumani Lofeta.

Authorities then conducted a controlled delivery operation that led to the arrest of Lozada and her live-in partner Cyril Garcia Cabigan, 28, who received the package.

A controlled delivery is a technique used by BOC when a shipment of prohibited drugs is allowed to pass through the agency – under the supervision of law enforcers – to track down the consignees and other persons involved in the illegal shipment.

Talusan said the arrested drug suspects violated Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Drugs Act of 2002.

The importation of illegal drugs is a non-bailable offense and has a maximum penalty of life imprisonment and a fine ranging from to million.