BOC files smuggling, drug raps vs Nigerial national

MANILA, Philippines - A Nigerian national has been charged by the Bureau of Customs before the Department of Justice for allegedly trying to sneak in about three kilograms of "shabu" in the country in April.

In a statement on Thursday, the BOC said Sunday Michael P. Owoborode has been charged for violating sections 3601 and 2530 of the Tariff and Customs Code of the Philippines as well as Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

BOC Commissioner Ruffy Biazon said Owoborode was arrested by customs police operatives upon arrival at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport from Bangkok, Thailand at about 8:30 p.m. of April 19, 2013 after his luggage yielded the illegal substance. The shabu was estimated to have a value of P24 million.

The illegal substance was found in three plastic sealed carbon paper packages wrapped with brown duct tape.

“This Nigerian national is certain to be part of an international drug syndicate which uses the Philippines as one of its markets and transhipment points. Today’s filing of charges against Owoborode is our message then, to international drug rings that we will spare no one in our campaign against smuggling, especially on the illegal drugs trade,” Biazon said.

Owoborode, who is now under the custody of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA),  could face the maximum penalty of life imprisonment under Philippine laws.