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The Bureau of Customs and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency seized more than P199.7 million worth of suspected shabu and high-grade marijuana hidden within a shipment labeled as personal effects from Canada
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The shipment consisted of 15 boxes and was intercepted at a warehouse in Pasay
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The BOC X-ray Inspection Project flagged the shipment after detecting suspicious images, prompting an alert order and 100% physical examination
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PDEA laboratory tests on samples from the seized substances tested positive for methamphetamine hydrochloride and cannabis
The Bureau of Customs (BOC) and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) have seized more than P199.7 million worth of suspected shabu and high-grade marijuana concealed in a shipment declared as personal effects from Canada.
Customs commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno, together with PDEA officials, led the inspection of the shipment at a warehouse in Pasay.
The shipment consisted of 15 boxes that were flagged by the BOC X-ray Inspection Project (XIP) after suspicious images were detected during screening.
The findings prompted the issuance of an alert order and a subsequent 100% physical examination and verification of the packages.
Authorities discovered six boxes containing 28 cans with approximately 28,324 grams of suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride, or shabu, with an estimated standard drug price of P192.603 million.
Another box contained approximately 4,746 grams of suspected high-grade marijuana, or kush, valued at P7.119 million.
Authorities also found 20 towels and 20 duvets or comforters suspected of containing liquid methamphetamine.
Samples from the suspected shabu, high-grade marijuana and liquid methamphetamine were submitted to PDEA for laboratory examination and tested positive for methamphetamine hydrochloride and cannabis.
The operation involved PDEA, the BOC’s Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service, Customs Anti-Illegal Drug Task Force, Enforcement and Security Service, XIP, NAIA Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group, and other concerned authorities.
Nepomuceno said the interception showed the need for intelligence-led profiling, X-ray screening, and agency coordination to stop illegal drugs entering the country.
“We will not allow our airports to be used as entry points for illegal drugs. With better technology, sharper intelligence, and strong coordination with our partner agencies, we are enhancing our ability to identify and prevent these shipments before they reach our communities,” the commissioner said.
BOC-NAIA district collector Atty. Yasmin Mapa also underscored the port’s continued vigilance in screening shipments and coordinating with partner agencies to stop drug smuggling efforts at the country’s main international entry point.
READ: BOC, PDEA seize P292.4M shabu concealed as talc stones
