A MAN who claimed a package containing over P4 million worth of ecstasy tablets at the Philpost Central Office in Manila was arrested, Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Debold Sinas said on Tuesday, February 16, 2021.
Ronron Salonga, 26, claimed the package on Monday afternoon, February 15, 2021.
It was shipped by a certain Mary Lumbao Edwards from The Netherlands to consignee Susan Lumbao of Malate, Manila. Sinas said Salonga presented an authorization letter from Susan Lumbao.
A total of 2,878 pieces of ecstasy pills, with a standard price of P4,892,600, were recovered among the clothes and shoes in the package.
Salonga will be charged for violation of Section 4, Article II of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, and RA No.10863, or Customs Modernization and Tariff Act.
Sinas said the suspect was arrested by operatives of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Group (NAIA-IADITG), which includes the PNP, on Monday afternoon, February 15.
Sinas said they will continue to strengthen their efforts to intercept illegal drugs being brought into the country in the guise of legal parcels.
“The PNP, as an active member of the NAIA-IADITG, will remain vigilant to thwart any attempt to illegally import prohibited drugs, unregistered pharmaceutical products and other restricted and regulated goods brought into the country without the proper clearance,” the PNP chief said.
On January 8, 2021, the NAIA-IADITG intercepted a shipment at the Central Mail Exchange Center containing 535 tablets of ecstasy worth P1 million which were concealed in an air parcel originating from The Netherlands and misdeclared as documents.
On January 10, two suspects were arrested after receiving a parcel containing high-grade kush in San Jose, Batangas during a controlled delivery operation.
The shipment which came from the United States of America contained 500 grams of kush valued at P600,000. (SunStar Philippines)