PHILSTAR FILE PHOTO

THE Bureau of Customs (BoC) said that it intercepted three abandoned inbound parcels containing illegal drugs worth P29.712 million at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

The interdiction operation, conducted on March 2, resulted in the seizure of approximately 3,596 grams of white crystalline substance suspected to be methamphetamine hydrochloride, also known as shabu, worth P24.45 million.

It also led to the confiscation of 4,046 grams of white powdery substances, which authorities suspect to be ecstasy worth P5.26 million.

Two of the parcels were declared as garden sculptures and were shipped from Berlin, Germany, and consigned to a recipient in Pasig City, while the third parcel was declared as vehicle air filters from Lusaka, Zambia, and consigned to a recipient in Dasmariñas, Cavite.

In a separate release, the agency said that it also intercepted a 504-gram high-grade marijuana, also known as kush, parcel bound to Cavite worth P756,000.

“The shipment from Canada, which arrived in the last week of February and was bound for Dasmariñas City, Cavite, was flagged based on derogatory information provided by the Philippine Drug Enforcement,” Customs said.

“X-ray scanning and K9 inspection were subsequently conducted, leading to a full physical examination of the parcel,” it added.

The inspection revealed six aluminum foil-wrapped packages that contained six transparent plastic pouches filled with dried leaves and fruiting tops, which the authorities found to be high-grade marijuana.

Since the start of 2026, Clark Port operations have already prevented the entry of over P22 million worth of narcotics. — Justine Irish D. Tabile