THE Bureau of Customs (BOC) officially turned over P30.780 million worth of ketamine to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), reinforcing the government’s intensified campaign against illegal drugs and cross-border smuggling.
BOC spokesperson Atty. Chris Noel Bendijo said the seized illegal drugs 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. Consequently, the shipment was flagged for physical examination, while x-ray inspection revealed suspicious images, prompting further examination.
He said that 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 No. 9165.
Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno said 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.
He added that the interception and eventual turnover of the seized contraband stand as a testament to the BOC, PDEA and partner law enforcement agencies’ unified approach to deter smuggling attempts and dismantle transnational drug trafficking networks.
Meanwhile, District Collector Jairus Reyes emphasized that the successful operation reflects the Port of Clark’s firm vigilance in preventing the entry of prohibited drugs and protecting communities from the harm caused by illegal substances.
Nepomuceno warned smugglers that the BOC will remain relentless in its campaign to dismantle drug trafficking operations and ensure that those behind the illegal drug trade will be held fully accountable under the law.
As of the latest report in April 2026, the BOC has already seized ?2.531 billion worth of illegal drugs. Legal actions were likewise pursued, with the Bureau successfully filing six criminal cases related to dangerous drugs from January 2025 to April 2026 before the Department of Justice.
