Watch more in iWantv or TFC.tv

MANILA - The Department of Public Works and Highways on Thursday revealed several red flags in the magnetic lifters found in Cavite, which were allegedly used to smuggle billions of pesos worth of shabu into the country.

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency had asked DPWH to examine the functionality of the 4 lifters that were found empty at a warehouse in August, just days after authorities seized P4.3 billion worth of shabu inside similar containers at the Manila port.

This type of equipment uses magnetic force to lift materials that have ferromagnetic properties. Those found in Cavite, however, had patches of lead and asbestos that can disrupt magnetic force, said DPWH Bureau of Equipment head Engr. Toribio Noel Ilao.

"Mas mahihirapan at mawawala po iyung capability ng magnetic lifter na ma-enhance iyung kaniyang tinatawag na magnetic force. Wala dapat po[ng asbestos at lead]," he told radio DZMM.

(These will negate the capability of the magnetic lifter to enhance the magnetic force. These should have been no asbestos and lead there.)

In a separate DZMM interview, PDEA Director General Aaron Aquino noted that lead can "trick" an x-ray machine or x-ray technician and stop them from detecting contraband inside a container during Customs inspection.

Lead, however, can melt due to the heat from the magnetic lifter's electric power source, which would be hazardous, said Ilao.

Asbestos, Aquino pointed out, can protect the goods inside the lifters from heating up.

"Isang caution din iyun sa loob ng magnetic lifters to prevent iyung melting ng drugs," he said.

(That is a measure of caution because it would prevent the drugs inside the magnetic lifters from melting.)

Aside from the patches of asbestos and lead, Ilao also said that the Cavite lifters had a hollow space.

DPWH engineers built a scale model of a hollow lifter and discovered that it cannot lift ferromagnetic materials, he said.

The Cavite lifters, he added, were also bigger compared with similar products from the US, China and Europe.

"Kataka-taka pong mas malaki sila kaysa sa standard na design na laki ng magnetic lifter," he said.

Aquino said the magnetic lifters could have contained P11 billion worth of shabu.

• P11-billion shabu haul inside magnetic lifters possible: PDEA

The Bureau of Customs, which processed and approved the shipment, initially denied that the magnetic lifters were used to smuggle drugs.

Customs Commissioner Isidro Lapeña, during a House inquiry on Wednesday, backpedaled on this statement, saying the magnetic lifters could have indeed contained drugs.