Bureau of Customs (BOC) Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno, together with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), led the inspection of more than ₱199.7 million worth of shabu and high-grade marijuana intercepted in packages declared as personal effects at a warehouse in Pasay.
The shipment, consisting of 15 boxes coming from Canada, was flagged by the BOC X-ray Inspection Project (XIP) after suspicious images were detected during X-ray screening.
This prompted the issuance of an Alert Order and the subsequent conduct of a 100% physical examination and verification of the packages.
During the examination, authorities discovered six (6) boxes containing 28 cans with approximately 28,324 grams of suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride, or “shabu,” with an estimated standard drug price of ₱192.603 million. Another box was found to contain approximately 4,746 grams of suspected high-grade marijuana, or “kush,” valued at ₱7.119 million.
Authorities also found 20 towels and 20 duvets suspected to contain liquid methamphetamine.
Samples taken from the suspected shabu, high-grade marijuana, and liquid methamphetamine were subjected to laboratory examination by PDEA and yielded positive results for methamphetamine hydrochloride and cannabis.
Nepomuceno emphasized that the interception demonstrates the critical role of intelligence-driven profiling, X-ray screening, and close inter-agency coordination in preventing illegal drugs from entering the country.
“With better technology, sharper intelligence, and strong coordination with our partner agencies, mas napapalakas natin ang ating kakayahang matukoy at mapigilan ang mga ganitong shipment bago pa makarating sa ating mga komunidad.”
“Hindi natin hahayaang gawing daan ang ating mga paliparan para sa pagpasok ng illegal drugs. With better technology, sharper intelligence, and strong coordination with our partner agencies, mas napapalakas natin ang ating kakayahang matukoy at mapigilan ang mga ganitong shipment bago pa makarating sa ating mga komunidad,” the Commissioner said.
The operation was carried out through the coordinated efforts with the PDEA, Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS), Customs Anti-Illegal Drug Task Force (CAIDTF), Enforcement and Security Service (ESS), XIP, NAIA Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group (NAIA-IADITG), and other concerned authorities.
“We will continue our vigilance in screening shipments and strengthening coordination with partner agencies to prevent attempts to smuggle illegal drugs through the country’s primary international gateway.”
BOC-NAIA District Collector Atty. Yasmin Mapa likewise underscored the Port’s continued vigilance in screening shipments and strengthening coordination with partner agencies to prevent attempts to smuggle illegal drugs through the country’s primary international gateway.
In line with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to intensify the campaign against illegal drugs and smuggling, the BOC, under Commissioner Nepomuceno’s leadership, continues to strengthen border protection through enhanced intelligence, technology, and inter-agency coordination.
