• The Bureau of Customs-Port of Clark intercepted a shipment containing nearly one kilo of methamphetamine hydrochloride, commonly known as shabu, concealed inside vehicle spare parts
• The contraband was valued at approximately P6.75 million and was concealed inside a vehicle wheel bearing, packed in four bundles wrapped in brown tape
• The shipment originated from Bujumbura, East Africa, and was bound for Cavite City
The Bureau of Customs-Port of Clark has intercepted a shipment containing nearly one kilo of methamphetamine hydrochloride, commonly known as shabu, valued at P6.75 million.
In a statement, the BOC said the contraband was concealed inside vehicle spare parts and discovered during a joint operation with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency’s Airport Interdiction Unit.
The shipment, which originated from Bujumbura, East Africa, and was consigned to a recipient in Cavite City, raised red flags during enhanced X-ray scanning. Upon physical inspection, customs personnel discovered a brown box containing a metal wheel bearing stuffed with four brown-taped packages of white crystalline substances.
Subsequent testing by PDEA confirmed the contents as methamphetamine hydrochloride, a prohibited substance under the Republic Act (RA) No. 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
A warrant of seizure and detention has been issued against the shipment for violations of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act in conjunction with RA No. 9165.
Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio emphasized that the bureau’s role extends beyond trade facilitation and revenue collection. “Our border protection efforts are not just about securing trade—they are about safeguarding lives.”
“This operation reflects our team’s vigilance and strong inter-agency collaboration in keeping illegal drugs out of the country,” said District Collector Jairus Reyes, commending the operation.
The joint operation was led by BOC-Clark’s Customs Anti-Illegal Drug Task Force together with the Clark Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group, the Philippine National Police-Aviation Security Group, the National Bureau of Investigation-Pampanga District Office, the Department of Justice, and Barangay Dau officials in Mabalacat City, Pampanga.
