By Ferdinand Patinio
MANILA – The Bureau of Customs (BOC), together with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), led the inspection of over PHP199.7 million worth of shabu and high-grade marijuana intercepted in packages declared as personal effects at a warehouse in Pasay City Monday.
Customs Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno said the shipment consisting of 15 boxes 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 full physical examination and verification of the packages.
During the examination, authorities discovered six boxes containing 28 cans with approximately 28.324 kilos of suspected shabu with an estimated street value of PHP92.60 million. Another box was found to contain approximately 4.75 kilos of suspected kush (high-grade marijuana) worth PHP7.12 million.
Also found were 20 towels and 20 duvets suspected to contain liquid methamphetamine.
He added that 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.
The BOC chief 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.
“We will not allow our airports to be used as entry points for illegal drugs. With better technology, sharper intelligence, and strong coordination with our partner agencies, we are further strengthening our ability to detect and intercept such shipments before they reach our communities,” he said.
BOC-NAIA District Collector 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.
The operation was carried out through coordinated efforts with the PDEA, Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service, Customs Anti-Illegal Drug Task Force, Enforcement and Security Service, XIP, NAIA Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group and other concerned authorities. (PNA)
