The Bureau of Customs (BOC) – Port of Clark, through its intensified border protection measures and with close coordination with the Customs Anti-Illegal Drug Task Force (CAIDTF), Enforcement & Security Service (ESS), Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS), X-ray Inspection Project (XIP) & Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), seized 500 grams of Ketamine worth Php2.5-million last June 21, 2022.

The BOC uncovered the illegal drugs in a shipment said to contain “Marco Dela Foto” from Madrid, Spain. Maximizing the port’s x-ray inspection capabilities, the shipment was subjected to x-ray scanning, which showed suspicious images that prompted the 100% physical examination. Said examination led to the findings of two (2) large picture frames concealing white crystalline substance in-between the transparent polycarbonate plates.

The CAIDTF conducted field testing on the white crystalline substances suspected to be illegal drugs, which indicated the presence of “Ketamine”. Representative samples were then taken and turned over to PDEA for chemical laboratory analysis, which confirmed the existence of Ketamine, a dangerous drug under Republic Act No. 9165.

A Warrant of Seizure and Detention (WSD) was issued by District Collector Alexandra Lumontad against the subject shipment for violation of Sections 118 (g), 119 (d), and 1113 (f) of R.A. No. 10863, in relation to Section 4 of R.A. No. 9165, otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

The BOC, under the leadership of Commissioner Yogi Filemon Ruiz, will remain vigilant against prohibited drugs through an intensified drug interdiction campaign.