The Bureau of Customs – Ninoy Aquino International Airport (BOC-NAIA), together with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the NAIA Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group (NAIA-IADITG), uncovered assorted suspected illegal drugs from five unclaimed inbound parcels at the Central Mail Exchange Center (CMEC), Pasay City on May 26, 2026, in a continuing effort to strengthen border protection and curb the entry of illegal drugs pursuant to the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.
BOC spokesman Atty. Chris Noel Bendijo said the parcels, shipped from Canada and France, were initially declared as ordinary consumer items such as gifts, toys, clothes, and other personal goods. During inspection and profiling procedures, Customs personnel noted irregularities and concealment indicators that prompted a more thorough examination of the shipments addressed to recipients in Pampanga, Zambales, and Cagayan de Oro City.
Examination of the parcels 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 with a combined estimated value of P6,457,550.
Authorities also uncovered various concealment methods intended to avoid detection, including suspected illegal drugs hidden inside canned goods, food packaging, foil pouches, wax papers, and containers disguised as common household items.
The seized 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.
Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno reaffirmed the Bureau’s commitment to strengthening enforcement operations and sustaining close coordination with partner agencies to prevent the use of international mail and cargo channels for drug trafficking activities.
Bendijo said that under the leadership of District Collector Atty. Yasmin Mapa, BOC-NAIA continues to enhance its border control measures and intelligence-driven operations to protect the country’s ports of entry from illegal drugs and other prohibited goods.
