The Bureau of Customs (BOC) at the Port of Clark has once again upheld its commitment to border security by intercepting an attempt to smuggle illegal drugs into the country. A total of 1,112 grams of Methamphetamine Hydrochloride, commonly known as “Shabu,” with an estimated street value of ₱7,561,600.00, was seized as a result of the BOC’s continued vigilance against prohibited substances.

The shipment, which originated from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and was intended for Bacoor, Cavite City, Philippines, arrived on May 6, 2025. Through enhanced X-ray scanning by the BOC’s X-ray Inspection Project (XIP), the parcel was flagged for physical examination, prompting customs authorities to inspect the shipment. Found inside were assorted undergarments, tea bags, a vacuum cleaner, and a rice cooker.

Further inspection revealed fourteen (14) tape-sealed transparent plastic bags wrapped in brown packaging tape inside the vacuum cleaner, containing a white crystalline substance suspected to be Shabu, weighing approximately 538 grams, with an estimated value of ₱3,658,400.00.

Meanwhile, inside the rice cooker, twelve (12) tape-sealed transparent plastic bags were found, also containing a white crystalline substance suspected to be Shabu, weighing approximately 574 grams, with an estimated value of ₱3,903,200.00.

Laboratory analysis conducted by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) confirmed that the submitted samples contained Methamphetamine Hydrochloride, a substance classified as a dangerous drug under the amended provisions of Republic Act No. 9165.

This operation, executed through the collaborative efforts of the BOC and PDEA-Airport Interdiction Unit, reflects not only the agency’s operational vigilance but also aligns with the intensified border control measures championed by the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., whose governance promotes a whole-of-government approach in addressing illegal drug trafficking and transnational crime.

District Collector Jairus S. Reyes commended the dedication of BOC-Port of Clark personnel and partner agencies, stating, “This interdiction serves as a clear deterrent to those who attempt to exploit our borders for illegal drug trafficking.”

Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Y. Rubio highlighted that the Bureau’s responsibilities extend beyond revenue collection and trade facilitation. “Customs is a frontline agency in safeguarding the well-being of the Filipino people by preventing the entry of harmful drugs. Our border protection efforts are not solely about regulating trade—they are fundamentally about protecting lives,” he said.