The Bureau of Customs (BOC), through its Intelligence Group and Enforcement Group, intercepted a shipment of suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride or “shabu” worth P476 million at a courier warehouse in Vitas, Tondo, Manila.
The operation was carried out by the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) – Port of Manila and the Customs Anti-Illegal Drugs Task Force (CAIDTF) under the Enforcement and Security Service, in coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).
During X-ray scanning, customs examiners detected suspicious images in two container vans declared as household goods and personal effects. The shipment was then tagged for verification. A full physical examination was conducted by the assigned customs examiner together with the composite team on the ground, supported by K9 sweeping, which confirmed the presence of illegal drugs.
The inspection led to the discovery of 70 vacuum-sealed transparent plastic packs of a white crystalline substance suspected to be shabu, weighing approximately 70 kilograms with an estimated value of PHP 476 million. The contraband was concealed inside three balikbayan boxes within two container vans.
BOC Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno said the interception highlights the BOC’s strengthened intelligence and enforcement efforts and warned that balikbayan boxes, which symbolize the sacrifice of overseas Filipinos, must not be used for illegal activities.
“The BOC, in close coordination with PDEA, will continue to block attempts by drug syndicates to use the country’s ports for smuggling.”
Nepomuceno stressed that the BOC, in close coordination with PDEA, will continue to block attempts by drug syndicates to use the country’s ports for smuggling.
The shipment originated from Long Beach, California, USA, and was consigned to a residential address in Bacoor City, Cavite. The seized boxes contained twenty-four kilograms hidden inside a small box and a backpack, twenty-seven kilograms in another box and a branded backpack mixed with canned goods, and nineteen kilograms in a third box among assorted personal effects.
“We will continue to intensify coordination with partner agencies to prevent illegal substances from entering the country and ensure that violators face the full force of the law.”
“This successful interception reflects the BOC’s commitment to safeguarding the Filipino people from illegal drugs, in line with President Marcos Jr.’s directive to strengthen enforcement and uphold integrity in all border operations. We will continue to intensify coordination with partner agencies to prevent illegal substances from entering the country and ensure that violators face the full force of the law,” Nepomuceno said.
Charges are being prepared for violations of Republic Act No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, and Republic Act No. 10863, or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act.
