Last week, the Treasury Department’s Customs and Biosecurity Service seized about $300,000 worth of methamphetamine disguised as vitamin pills and imported through United Parcel Service.
Yesterday, Jose Majunas, Director of the Bureau of Customs and Biosecurity, held a press conference along with other members of the Drug Enforcement Task Force and said that on May 14, approximately $300,000 worth of food was stolen in the cargo area of the Francisco C. Ada/Saipan International Airport. (approximately 2.9 pounds) of methamphetamine was seized.
Mahnath said these drugs are packaged in powdered vitamin C packets and multivitamin capsules hidden inside One-A-Day Vitamin bottles sealed to appear unopened. It is said that the packet was strategically disguised as a .
“On May 14th of last year, at approximately 11:00 a.m., Customs conducted a routine inspection of packages arriving as cargo at the cargo area of Saipan International Airport. In this particular case, it was a UPS shipment. During the inspection, a customs officer Upon further inspection, he discovered that the contents of the vitamin C packets were different. When he opened one of the packets, he found what appeared to be meth capsules. “I started opening the vitamin bottle that was in the package, and when I opened it I realized it contained what appeared to be meth,” he said.
“The meth found totaled approximately 2.9 pounds. The estimated street value is approximately $150-160 per gram, so the value of the imported meth is more or less approximately $300,000,” Mahnas said. he added.
When asked why the press conference was held six days after the drugs were intercepted, Mahunas said that he and the task force had originally wanted to hold a press conference once the suspect was arrested, but the incident He explained that the case is still pending.
Mahunas added that because the case is pending, he cannot reveal much information about the suspect.
Department of Public Safety Secretary Anthony McAlanas, who heads DETF, said that as of press time no arrests have been made yet, but DPS is working diligently on the case.
“To let the community know, we are continuing to pursue those responsible for this incident. It is a community concern. We take this very seriously. This is a joint effort. We will continue to be diligent in enforcing laws that specifically intervene with these drugs that can end up in our communities. “We are doing everything we can to stop activities that import this into our island,” he said.
Corrections Secretary Anthony Torres, who is also a member of the task force, said he and his department appreciate the work Customs has done in the fight against drugs.
“We would like to thank all of the police officers involved in this bust. Their actions undoubtedly saved lives and deterred criminal activity that threatened the safety of our community. We are extremely grateful for that. We are grateful to them and will continue to support the fight against drugs,” he said.
