In back-to-back anti-drug operations, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) intercepted a total of P34.8 million worth of illegal drugs—shabu and ecstasy—at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and Port of Clark. A foreign passenger was arrested, and multiple criminal charges are being pursued in connection with the seizures.
On June 14, BOC-NAIA operatives confiscated 4,368 grams of methamphetamine hydrochloride, or shabu, from the luggage of a passenger arriving from Malaysia. The drugs, valued at P29.7 million, were discovered during routine baggage screening using x-ray scanners, K-9 inspection, and a physical search. The suspect was immediately taken into custody.
Just days earlier, on June 4, BOC-Port of Clark foiled an attempt to smuggle 3,004 ecstasy tablets disguised as “animal food” from Paris, France. The illegal drugs, worth P5.1 million, were hidden inside pouches concealed in dog food pellets to evade x-ray detection. Acting on a PDEA tip, customs officers and K-9 units intercepted the parcel at the Central Mail Exchange Center in Pasay.
All confiscated drugs were turned over to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) for case build-up. The suspects face charges under Republic Act No. 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act) and Republic Act No. 10863 (Customs Modernization and Tariff Act).
“These interceptions prove the strength of unified law enforcement,” said BOC Commissioner Bienvenido Y. Rubio. “Every successful seizure at the border is one less threat to our communities. With the President’s vision as our guide, we will remain relentless.”
District Collectors Yasmin Mapa (NAIA) and Jairus Reyes (Clark) cited the bureau’s growing momentum in preventing illicit substances from entering the country. “It’s not just border protection—it’s protection of life, family, and future,” Reyes said.
The Bureau of Customs, under the Marcos administration, continues to scale up anti-smuggling efforts through tighter screening, better intelligence sharing, and rapid inter-agency coordination.
Investigations are ongoing.
