CLARK FREEPORT – The Bureau of Customs-Port of Clark, in coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, intercepted on Oct. 22 two shipments that yielded ketamine with a combined weight of 19.89 kilos worth P99.445 million.
Based on information received by the PDEA Airport Interdiction Unit, the two shipments were subjected to physical examination, with the first originating from Switzerland and bound for Mandaluyong City declared as “roasted coffee beans, coffee machine and equipment,” discovered to hold 9,882 grams of ketamine.
The second, declared as “sodium bicarbonate cleaning powder” shipped out of Amsterdam and destined for Montalban, Rizal contained 10,007 grams.
Laboratory testing by the PDEA confirmed the seized substances to be ketamine, a dangerous drug covered by RA 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002), as amended.
Citing the successful interdiction, BOC-Clark district collector Jairus S. Reyes said: “Inaasahan nating dadami ang mga parcel na darating sa pamamagitan ng air express carriers. Kaya mas paiigtingin natin ang pagsusuri sa mga dokumento at pisikal na inspeksyon, gayundin ang pagtiyak na maayos at gumagana ang ating mga X-ray machine.” BOC-Clark/Punto News Team
