As part of the Bureau of Customs’ (BOC) strengthened anti-illegal drug campaign, the BOC – Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), and NAIA Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group (NAIA-IADITG) arrested a claimant after discovering methamphetamine hydrochloride, commonly known as “shabu,” hidden inside a parcel on March 23, 2023, at the Central Mail Exchange Center, Pasay City.

During the conduct of intensive regular x-ray screening at the CMEC warehouse, a parcel declared as “Universal Engine” originating from New Delhi, India, was marked “X” by the X-ray Inspection Project (XIP) inspector due to irregular and suspicious x-ray images.

The Customs examiner conducted a thorough physical examination in the presence of the consignee and representatives from XIP, Customs Anti-illegal Drug Task Force, Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service, Enforcement and Security Service, and PDEA.

The subject parcel underwent examination, which yielded four packs of white crystalline substances, wrapped using blue carbon paper and tape, concealed inside the cylindrical aluminum receptacle labeled as “Universal Engine.”

The CAIDTF and PDEA conducted a field test on the seized substances, which turned out to be positive for the presence of Methamphetamine Hydrochloride.

The BOC seized more or less 514 grams of shabu with an estimated street value of Php 3,495,200.

The claimant was arrested for violation of the Republic Act (RA) 9165, or the Comprehensive Drug Act, and RA 10863, also known as the Customs Modernization And Tariff Act (CMTA).

“I commend the men and women of the BOC-NAIA for securing our borders through their relentless and intensified campaign against drug smuggling,” said Commissioner Rubio.

The BOC-NAIA reaffirms its commitment to deter the proliferation of illegal drugs, aligned with the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.#