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The Bureau of Customs at Ninoy Aquino International Airport seized 14 abandoned parcels packed with suspected illegal drugs worth P56.01 million, following a warehouse inspection operation in Pasay City
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Parcels originated from countries across Asia, Europe, and the United States, and were flagged through X-ray screening and K9 inspection in coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency
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Drugs were concealed inside water filters, a speaker, and assorted food items
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Contraband found included 7,005 grams of shabu, 5,922 grams of high-grade marijuana, 100 vape cartridges with liquid marijuana, and 8,177 grams of opium poppy
The Bureau of Customs-Ninoy Aquino International Airport (BOC-NAIA) seized 14 abandoned parcels packed with suspected illegal drugs worth P56.01 million, following a warehouse inspection operation in Pasay City conducted in coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).
The parcels, sourced from multiple countries across Asia, Europe, and the United States, were flagged during routine x-ray screening after images raised suspicions, BOC reported in a media release.
Agents then subjected all 14 packages to full physical examination and K9 inspection, uncovering an array of prohibited substances concealed inside everyday goods, including water filters, a speaker, and assorted food items.
Seized contraband included 7,005 grams of methamphetamine hydrochloride or “shabu,” 5,922 grams of high-grade marijuana or “kush,” 100 vape cartridges containing liquid marijuana, and 8,177 grams of opium poppy, with a combined estimated street value of P56,010,700.
Customs commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno issued a warning to syndicates attempting to exploit international parcel and courier channels.
“To those attempting to use parcel and air cargo shipments to smuggle illegal drugs and other contraband, our message is clear: we will not be deterred. We continue to strengthen our monitoring and inspection systems, in partnership with our allied agencies, to ensure that illicit cargo is intercepted and those responsible are held accountable,” Nepomuceno said.
READ: BOC seizes P2.56B in illegal cigarettes, drugs in 2 months
The operation was carried out jointly by the Customs Anti-Illegal Drug Task Force and the PDEA, which received all seized items for laboratory examination and further investigation.
BOC-NAIA, under district collector Yasmin Obillos-Mapa, said it remains committed to ensuring that international mail and cargo channels are not used as conduits for illicit trade and transnational criminal activity.
READ: BOC, PDEA ink MOA to strengthen anti-drug border enforcement
