CLARK FREEPORT, Pampanga — Customs authorities seized about 1,706 grams of suspected methamphetamine, locally known as shabu, worth an estimated ₱11.6 million from a shipment of car parts from South Africa bound for Angeles City, Pampanga, the Bureau of Customs said Monday.

The shipment was intercepted by the Bureau of Customs-Port of Clark in coordination with the Clark Inter-Agency Task Force Against Illegal Drugs.

The shipment initially underwent regular customs clearance procedures, but an X-ray inspection detected suspicious images inside the declared car parts, according to the bureau.

A K-9 inspection also indicated the presence of illegal drugs, prompting customs personnel to conduct a 100% physical examination.

Authorities found 17 black and transparent plastic packages containing a white crystalline substance concealed inside two engine pistons and a tensioner pulley kit.

Initial testing using a Rigaku Spectrometer indicated the substance was methamphetamine. Representative samples were turned over to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency for confirmatory laboratory examination.

A Warrant of Seizure and Detention was issued against the shipment for alleged violations of Sections 118(g), 119(d) and 1113(f), (i), (l)(3) and (4) of Republic Act 10863, or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act, in relation to Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, as amended.

Port of Clark District Collector Jairus S. Reyes said the operation underscored the need to continuously strengthen the skills and capabilities of customs personnel to detect evolving smuggling methods.

Customs Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno said the seizure would prevent a significant amount of illegal drugs from reaching Filipino communities.

The Bureau of Customs said the operation demonstrated continued coordination between the Port of Clark and other law enforcement agencies in efforts to prevent the entry and distribution of illegal drugs.