Rosales, E. R. (2018). The 6.4 billion-peso shabu customs bust (Unpublished master's thesis). Public Management Development Program, Development Academy of the Philippines.

Public Management and Development Program Senior Executives Class Batch 6 Thesis (SEC)--Development Academy of the Philippines.

The May 2017 Drug Bust conducted by the Bureau of Customs (BOC) has brought admiration for anti drug operatives. The whole case started when the Customs counterpart from China gave an information to BOC that a shipment of illegal drugs was able to pass through customs inspection and was about to be delivered to a consignee in another warehouse in Valenzuela City who was reluctantly waiting for the cardo. Time pressure, coupled with the eagerness of the suspects to receive the cargo, brought the leadership of the BOC, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), and Philippine National Police (PNP) to a situation that would influence either success or failure of the operation. The alleged illegal drugs were hidden inside five (5) metal cylinders which Customs authorities had already opened. The initial plan was to conduct a controlled delivery operation through which, operatives themselves would assist the delivery of said container vans (containing illegal drugs) to the consignee. Upon receipt, the arrest would take effect. However, the plan was deviated into an entrapment operation through a service of Customs Letter of Authority (LOA) for the conduct of Customs inspection. The operation was conducted in the evening of 26th May 2017. The container van with only one (1) out of five (5) metal cylinders (containing illegal drugs) was delivered to the consignees delivery address. Upon arrival and receipt of the cargoes, the LOA was implemented which resulted to the seizure of 500 kilograms of methamphetamine hydrochloride (also known as shabu) and the arrest of two (2) warehousemen. The operation was conducted with the greatest intention to prevent the spread of the illegal drugs in the streets and capture the perpetrators of this illegal activity. It is with good faith that BOC implemented the operation. However, there were lapses in the implementation of policies, both internal and external. With this big bust, the congress was keen on investigating the case as it was imperative to know just how an enormous amount of illegal drugs was able to pass through Customs inspection. As a result of the congressional hearings, loopholes and violations of the law were identified this resulted to the filing of criminal charges against government officials and the apparent dismissal of the drug case.