BOC seizes 320 drums of shabu ingredients at Mindanao port
TAGOLOAN, Misamis Oriental –The Bureau of Customs here in Region 10 (BOC-10) has seized 320 drums of hydrochloric acid, a chemical substance essential in manufacturing methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu, at the Mindanao Container Terminal located in the sub-port of this town. The four 20-foot container vans were shipped from from India.
The issuance of Warrant of Seizure and Detention for the chemicals shipped in four container vans was requested after it was discovered that the consignee, Juchem Enterprises based in Butuan City, failed to secure and present the essential import permits and licenses.
The shipment’s broker is identified as Abel Avergonzado of Davao City.
“This is the first time a chemical substance believed to be component in the manufacture of illegal drugs was seized under the leadership of Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon. Most of our seizures were finished products like shabu, cocaine, and ecstacy,” Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) director Neil Anthony Estrella said.
Intelligence Officer II Alvin Enciso, OIC, Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) of Cagayan de Oro and the Sub-ports, said the result of the initial examination done on the shipment last Tuesday, February 14, showed a discrepancy of being “restricted or regulated item without import permit or clearance.”
“The close coordination of the BOC’s CIIS and the IG (Intelligence
Group) and PDEA (Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency), especially with the instruction from President Rodrigo Duterte to monitor incoming shipments in line with the anti-drugs campaign of the government, the shipment, consisting of four 20-foot containers, is found to be one of the chemicals being regulated by the PDEA,” Enciso said.
“It is considered a dangerous chemical if it goes to the wrong hands. It is one of the essential elements or chemicals used in making shabu,” Enciso said.
Although there are other uses of the hydrochloric acid, Enciso said it is regulated because the government wants to know where it will be specifically used.
Enciso said the owner of Juchem Enterprises appeared before his office, and claimed that they do not know that the shipped chemical is regulated.
“Marami pong violations ang nangyari sa importation na ito – violation ng PDEA regulations, violation ng Dangerous Drug Board regulations, violation ng FDA (Food and Drugs Administration) at DENR (Department of Environment and Natural Resources) regulations, at lalong lalo na po sa bagong batas natin, ang Customs Modernization and Tariff Act, mahigpit pong pinagbabawal ang pag import ng regulated items ng walang corresponding import permits (This importation violated many regulations of PDEA, Dangerous Drug Board, FDA, and DENR, and especially the new Customs Modernization and Tariff Act prohibiting the importation of regulated items without corresponding import permits),” Enciso said.
Juchem Enterprises alleged the chemicals will be supplied to a mining company.
“We also intend to visit the company or companies who they claimed they are supplying the chemicals so we would know how exactly they are using the chemicals,” Enciso said.
“But, just the same, PDEA is preparing to file cases against this importer. As per instruction from Customs Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon and Deputy Commissioner Teddy Raval, and as communicated by the new CIIS director Neil Anthony Estrella, that the shipment be opened immediately,” Enciso said.
The four 20-foot container vans arrived at the Mindanao Container Terminal last Jan. 31, Estrella said.
In a letter dated February 7, PDEA asked CDO port collector and lawyer Tomas Alcid to hold the shipment since its consignee was not able to secure a license or permit to import hydrochloric acid.
“Juchem Enterprises only has local distribution and retail of controlled chemical licenses and has no license to import and distribute controlled chemicals,” said PDEA regional direc- tor Adrian Alvarino.
The chemical substance is subject to seizure and detention for violations of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 and Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) regulations.