By Ferdinand Patinio
MANILA – The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has so far seized some PHP2.5 billion worth of illegal drugs as of this month.
In a statement Monday, the Bureau said legal actions were likewise pursued, with the filing six criminal cases related to dangerous drugs from January 2026 to April 2026 before the Department of Justice.
At the same time, the BOC also reported that it has turned over PHP30.780 million worth of ketamine to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), that were intercepted at the Port of Clark during the latter part of March 2026, following derogatory information received by the BOC from PDEA, underscoring the effective and sustained intelligence sharing between the two agencies.
The shipment was flagged for physical examination, while X-ray inspection revealed suspicious images, prompting further examination.
During the examination, a PDEA K-9 sniff test yielded a positive indication for suspicious content, which led to a more thorough inspection. Authorities discovered six transparent plastic pouches containing a white crystalline substance, later confirmed as ketamine, concealed within a spool and wrapped with cable wires, weighing 6,156 grams.
A Warrant of Seizure and Detention was subsequently issued for violations of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act and Republic Act 9165.
The operation was conducted in coordination with the PDEA-Airport Interdiction Unit and the Clark Inter-Agency Task Force Against Illegal Drugs, in support of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s agenda of securing borders and protecting communities from narcotics. (PNA)
