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The Bureau of Customs and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency intercepted about 43 kilograms of suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride (shabu), valued at P292.4 million, concealed in a shipment of talc stones at the Manila International Container Port
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The shipment came from Afghanistan and consisted of two 20-foot containers
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Authorities noted similarities with a February 2026 Afghanistan-linked shipment declared as marble that yielded about 40 kilograms of dangerous drugs worth P272 million
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Customs Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno said risk management and monitoring of recurring smuggling patterns were key to the interception
The Bureau of Customs (BOC) and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) intercepted about 43 kilograms of suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride, locally known as shabu, worth P292.4 million, concealed in a shipment of talc stones at the Manila International Container Port (MICP).
The shipment from Afghanistan consisted of two 20-foot containers declared as “talc stones,” the BOC said in a media release.
It underwent a 100% physical examination after BOC profiling and monitoring identified it as a “high-risk” shipment.
Authorities found the suspected illegal drugs inside fabric pouches coated with a material resembling plaster of Paris and designed to blend with the shipment’s declared contents.
Confirmatory laboratory tests on representative samples subsequently established the presence of methamphetamine hydrochloride, commonly known as shabu.
Authorities also noted similarities between the shipment and a previous Afghanistan-linked container declared as “marble” that was intercepted at the MICP on February 10, 2026. That shipment yielded about 40 kilograms of dangerous drugs valued at P272 million.
Customs commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno said the recent interception highlights the crucial role of risk management and enhanced border controls in stopping illegal drugs from entering the nation.
“This operation proves the effectiveness of the Bureau of Customs’ strict profiling and risk management. By closely monitoring high‑risk shipments and identifying recurring smuggling patterns, we strengthen our ability to prevent the entry of illegal drugs into the country. We thank the PDEA for their vital contribution to this successful interception,” Nepomuceno said.
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The joint examination was conducted by the PDEA and the BOC through the Customs Anti-Illegal Drug Task Force, the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service, the Enforcement and Security Service, the X-ray Inspection Project, and other concerned units.
