Illicit drugs declared as consumer goods intercepted
SUBIC BAY FREEPORT — Authorities intercepted parcels containing suspected illegal drugs worth more than P6.4 million that were addressed to recipients in Zambales and other parts of the country, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) said on Saturday (May 30)
The Bureau of Customs–Ninoy Aquino International Airport (BOC-NAIA), in coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the NAIA Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group (NAIA-IADITG), discovered the suspected contraband in five unclaimed inbound parcels at the Central Mail Exchange Center (CMEC) in Pasay City on Tuesday (May 26).
According to the BOC, the parcels originated from Canada and France and were declared as ordinary consumer items, including gifts, toys, clothing, and other personal goods.
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The shipments were addressed to recipients in Pampanga, Zambales, and Cagayan de Oro City.
Customs personnel flagged the parcels after noting irregularities and concealment indicators during inspection and profiling procedures.
A thorough examination led to the discovery of approximately 946 grams of suspected marijuana Kush, 606 tablets and 789 grams of suspected MDMA or ecstasy, 10 grams of suspected ketamine, 114 grams of suspected cocaine, and 184 grams of unidentified brown substances.
The seized substances have a combined estimated value of P6,457,550.
Authorities said the suspected illegal drugs were concealed in canned goods, food packaging, foil pouches, wax papers, and containers disguised as common household items in an apparent attempt to evade detection.
The parcels were immediately turned over to PDEA for laboratory examination, case build-up, and the filing of appropriate charges for violations of Republic Act No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, in relation to Republic Act No. 10863, or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act. INQ
