The Bureau of Customs – Manila International Container Port (BOC-MICP), in coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), successfully intercepted a shipment from Thailand suspected to contain illegal drugs, which were declared as household items, shoes, and motor parts.

The Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) – MICP requested verification of the said shipment, which was immediately approved by MICP District Collector.

On May 6, 2024, the shipment underwent small baggage X-ray scanning at DEA-MICP, led by the assigned customs examiner and witnessed by CIIS, Enforcement and Security Service, Customs Anti-Illegal Drug Task Force, Environmental Protection and Compliance Division, Philippine Coast Guard, and PDEA.

Preliminary findings from the initial small baggage x-ray scanning revealed various concealed items in boxes containing electric fans and water heaters.

Following the initial inspection, physical examination, and PDEA field testing using a RIGAKU Raman chemical analyzer, customs agents uncovered 8.294 kilos of shabu with an estimated value of PhP56.399 million. The illegal substance was concealed in plastic pouches hidden inside two (2) boxes containing electric fans and five (5) boxes of water heaters.

The apprehended shipment shall be subjected to seizure and forfeiture proceedings for violation of Sections 118 (g), 119 (d), and 1113 par. f, I, and l (3 and 4) of R.A. No. 10863, or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA), in relation to Section 4 of R.A. No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

Likewise, the case records of the instant apprehension will be referred to the Bureau Action Team Against Smuggling (BATAS) for immediate case build up and prosecution of personalities involved in the foiled smuggling attempt of illegal drugs for violation of Section 1401 of CMTA and Section 4 of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

In a statement, Commissioner Bienvenido Y. Rubio praised the prompt response of the men and women of BOC-MICP, under the leadership of District Collector Carmelita M. Talusan, CIIS-MICP and the Intelligence Group: “Your efforts in upholding your duties stand as the core of the success of this operation, effectively showcasing your utmost dedication in safeguarding the health and welfare of the Filipino people from harmful effects of illegal drugs not only to abusive users but the whole society as well.”