The Bureau of Customs (BOC) – Port of Clark, in coordination with the Clark Inter-Agency Task Force Against Illegal Drugs (CRK-IATFAID), has foiled an attempt to smuggle nearly ₱33.945 million worth of suspected shabu concealed in five separate parcels.
The operation, aligned with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to intensify the campaign against illegal drugs, led to the seizure of approximately 4.992 kilograms of Methamphetamine Hydrochloride.
All parcels underwent standard clearance procedures, including X-ray scanning under the BOC’s X-ray Inspection Project, which flagged suspicious images. A K-9 sniff test conducted by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) further indicated the possible presence of illegal substances, prompting a full physical inspection by Customs examiners. Authorities found white crystalline substances in all five shipments.
The first parcel, which arrived on March 30 from South Africa and was bound for Batangas City, was declared as “Air Filters.” Inspection revealed four plastic pouches concealed inside the filters, weighing about 2,004 grams and valued at ₱13.627 million.
A second parcel from Uganda, which arrived on March 31 and was destined for Dasmariñas City, was declared as “Textbooks and Briefcase.” Authorities discovered contraband hidden in carbon paper inside a black leather case, weighing around 582 grams and worth ₱3.957 million.
Two more parcels from Zimbabwe, both arriving on April 2 and bound for Las Piñas City, were declared as “Documents.” These contained carbon paper-wrapped packages hidden in leather cases, with a combined weight of approximately 2,170 grams and an estimated value of ₱14.756 million.
The fifth parcel, which arrived on April 8 from Delaware, USA and was bound for Taguig City, was declared as “Polyester Clothing.” It yielded about 236 grams of suspected shabu concealed inside a box, valued at ₱1.604 million.
Initial testing using a Rigaku Spectrometer confirmed the substances as Methamphetamine Hydrochloride, a dangerous drug under Republic Act No. 9165. Samples were forwarded to PDEA for confirmatory testing.
A Warrant of Seizure and Detention was issued for violations of provisions under Republic Act No. 10863, in relation to the country’s anti-drug law.
Customs Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno highlighted the role of technology in enforcement efforts, citing the effectiveness of advanced X-ray systems in detecting concealed contraband.
Meanwhile, Port of Clark District Collector Jairus S. Reyes reiterated the agency’s commitment to strengthening border protection and sustaining its crackdown on drug smuggling.
The BOC said it remains steadfast in safeguarding the country’s borders and protecting the public from the dangers of illegal drugs.
