The Bureau of Customs – Ninoy Aquino International Airport (BOC-NAIA), in close coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the NAIA Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group (NAIA-IADITG), announced a significant drug interdiction at a warehouse facility in Pasay City on September 25, 2025.
The operation resulted in the seizure of three (3) unclaimed parcels containing high-value illegal drugs with an estimated street value of ₱8,839,600. This bust aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to strengthen border protection and intensify the national anti-drug campaign.
Details of the Seizure
The parcels, which were initially misdeclared as “electronic equipment” and “garments,” were flagged during x-ray screening. Subsequent K-9 sweeping yielded positive indications for illegal substances, prompting a thorough physical inspection.
The inspection revealed the following:
One parcel was found to conceal 992 grams of methamphetamine hydrochloride, commonly known as shabu.
The two other parcels contained a combined 1,396 grams of high-grade marijuana, locally known as kush.
The seized illegal drugs have been secured at the BOC-NAIA Collector’s Corral pending confirmatory laboratory testing and further investigation.
BOC Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno commended the vigilance and dedication of the personnel involved in the operation. “The Bureau of Customs is determined to uncover and stop every attempt by drug traffickers to sneak illegal substances into our country,” Commissioner Nepomuceno stated. “We remain steadfast in protecting our borders and shielding our communities from the harms of illegal drugs.”
District Collector Alexandra Y. Lumontad emphasized the importance of inter-agency cooperation: “Through strict enforcement and close inter-agency collaboration, BOC-NAIA continues to uphold its role as a frontline defense against smuggling and illicit drug activities at the country’s main air gateway.”
Legal Ramifications
The consignees and individuals responsible for the importation face charges for violations of Republic Act No. 10863 (Customs Modernization and Tariff Act), particularly concerning misdeclaration and unlawful importation, as well as Republic Act No. 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, as amended).
This operation reinforces the Bureau of Customs’ unwavering commitment to strictly enforcing customs and anti-drug laws, supporting the national government’s overarching campaign to protect the Filipino public from illegal drugs.
