By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA — The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has thwarted an attempt to smuggle more than P14.29 million worth of suspected shabu into the country after customs personnel discovered the illegal drugs concealed inside spools of rope at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) cargo complex.
The BOC-NAIA reported Friday that the shipment, declared as “Plastics and Ropes,” was intercepted on July 8 following intelligence information provided by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).
During a thorough inspection, authorities uncovered 2,102 grams of suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride, commonly known as shabu, ingeniously hidden inside several rope spools.
The seized contraband has an estimated street value of P14,293,600, according to authorities.
The operation was conducted through the joint efforts of the Bureau of Customs, PDEA, the NAIA Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group, the BOC Customs Anti-Illegal Drugs Task Force, the Philippine National Police Aviation Security Group, the Airport Police Department, the PNP Drug Enforcement Group, the National Bureau of Investigation, and the Bureau of Immigration.
The BOC said the successful interception underscores the government’s intensified campaign to secure the country’s borders against drug trafficking and other forms of transnational smuggling.
The agency reaffirmed its commitment to Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno’s directive to strengthen border protection through tighter customs enforcement and sustained collaboration with partner law enforcement agencies.
“The Bureau of Customs remains committed to preventing the entry of illegal drugs and other prohibited goods through enhanced intelligence gathering, stricter inspection procedures, and close inter-agency coordination,” the BOC said.
The confiscated suspected shabu has been turned over to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency for laboratory examination and case development.
Authorities are continuing their investigation and conducting follow-up operations to identify the individuals and groups responsible for the attempted shipment of the illegal narcotics into the Philippines.
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