In a significant crackdown on drug trafficking, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has filed charges against five suspects involved in a scheme to smuggle over 404 kg of shabu, valued at PHP2.7 billion, into the Philippines from Karachi, Pakistan. The operation, which was intercepted last month, saw the drugs cleverly hidden within food product shipments labeled as vermicelli and custards at the Port of Manila.
The NBI identified the accused as Oscar Berba, the consignee from Red Shinting Consumer Goods Trading in Las Piñas, along with Karen Villaflor and Rey Gujilde, who are the chairperson and president of the freight forwarding company Ark Global Movers, respectively. Additionally, customs brokers Kevin Lee Arrio and Richard Aguantar were also implicated in the plot.
NBI Director Jaime Santiago explained that the suspects had orchestrated a complex scheme involving multiple layers of documentation and groundwork to disguise the illegal drugs among legitimate goods. The operation was a result of a joint effort by the NBI, the Bureau of Customs (BOC), and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), following a tip from an international partner.
The BOC has also filed charges against the five for violating customs laws related to prohibited importation, misdeclaration, and seizure of property. BOC chief Bienvenido Rubo praised the collaborative efforts of various law enforcement agencies, emphasizing the dedication of officers in thwarting drug traffickers’ attempts to harm communities.
Following the seizure, the suspected shabu was handed over to PDEA for further laboratory examination and custody, in accordance with the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. Deputy Commissioner for Intelligence Group Juvymax Uy reiterated the BOC’s commitment to enhancing border security, acknowledging the relentless efforts required to combat the ongoing threat posed by such criminal activities.