The Bureau of Customs (BOC), through the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), and Philippine Postal Corporation, intercepted 39 international inbound parcels containing various suspected dangerous drugs with an estimated street value of more than ₱41 million in separate operations conducted as part of the Bureau’s intensified border protection and anti-smuggling efforts.
The shipments were flagged through customs profiling, x-ray screening, K9 inspection, and physical examination, in close coordination with partner enforcement agencies.
Among the intercepted shipments, five inbound parcels originating from India were found to contain suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride (shabu) weighing approximately 4,344 grams, with an estimated street value of ₱29.539 million.
The remaining 34 inbound parcels, originating from the United States, Spain, Germany, Canada, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom, were likewise found to contain various suspected dangerous drugs. These included approximately 5,659 grams of marijuana (“kush”) with an estimated value of ₱8.488 million, and 707 grams of ecstasy with an estimated value of ₱3.004 million.
The shipments were consigned to recipients in Metro Manila, Cavite, Laguna, Pampanga, Cebu, Cagayan de Oro, Surigao, Antique, and other parts of the country.
All seized parcels were turned over to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) for laboratory examination and further investigation in accordance with existing customs laws and regulations. Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno underscored that the successful interdiction reflects the BOC’s mandate on carrying out the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to strengthen border security and prevent the entry of illegal drugs and other contraband into the country.
“Kami ay lubos na nagpapasalamat sa PHLPost, PDEA, at sa NAIA – Inter-agency Drug Interdiction Task Group. Ang publiko ay makakaasa na mas palalakasin pa ng BOC ang pakikipag-ugnayan sa mga partner agencies upang matiyak na hindi makakapasok sa bansa ang ganitong uri ng kontrabando at sino man ang susuway ay mananagot sa batas,” Commissioner Nepomuceno said.
The BOC-NAIA under the leadership of District Collector Atty. Yasmin Obillos-Mapa, remains steadfast in safeguarding the country’s borders by ensuring that attempts to smuggle dangerous drugs and other prohibited goods are detected and intercepted before reaching the public.
