The Department of Justice (DOJ), after conducting inquest proceedings, found probable cause to charge the consignee of the over 31 kilograms of shabu worth PHP218,484,000 seized in Pasay City by members of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group (NAIA-IADITG).

Based on the information submitted by authorities, the respondent was identified as Christine Tigranes of Balingasa, Manila and the claimant of the illegal contrabands from a certain Isaac Chikore from Zimbabwe.

Wrapped in four brown cartons, the illegal drugs were declared as machinery mufflers placed inside four parcels which the consignee received at the PAIR-PAGS Center, NAIA Complex.

The parcels passed through an x-ray examination where authorities discovered something suspicious, forcing them to conduct a 100% physical inspection on the items and arrest the respondent.

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Laboratory Service has also determined that the contrabands seized were indeed methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu.

“May this be a warning to those who continue to associate themselves with illegal drugs, expect that our crusade against this menace to society will be more vicious in the upcoming days and will never stop until we attain our ultimate goal of a 100% drug-free Philippines,” Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Boying Remulla underscored.

“The Department is firm in its commitment to waging war against drugs,” the Secretary added.

Tigranes will face charges for Violation of Section 4 (Importation of Dangerous Drugs), Article II of Republic Act (RA) No. 9165 (Dangerous Drugs Act) and Section 1401 (Unlawful Importation or Exportation) of RA 10863 (Customs Modernization and Tariff Act).