MANILA — The Bureau of Customs (BOC) and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) seized approximately 43 kilograms of suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride, commonly known as shabu, with an estimated street value of Php292.4 million from a shipment declared as talc stones at the Manila International Container Port (MICP).

The shipment consisted of two 20-foot containers originating from Afghanistan. It was subjected to a 100-percent physical examination following stringent profiling and monitoring of high-risk shipments by the BOC.

Authorities said the shipment bore similarities to a previous Afghanistan-linked container declared as marble that was intercepted at the MICP on February 10, 2026. The earlier shipment was found to contain approximately 40 kilograms of dangerous drugs valued at Php272 million.

During the latest inspection, authorities discovered suspected illegal drugs concealed in fabric pouches coated with a plaster-like material and designed to resemble the declared talc stone contents.

Representative samples were subjected to laboratory testing, which subsequently confirmed the presence of methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu.

BOC Commissioner Nepomuceno said the seizure highlights the importance of risk management, intelligence gathering, and strengthened border-control measures in preventing the entry of illegal drugs into the country.

“Ang operasyong ito ay patunay na effective ang mahigpit na profiling at risk management ng Bureau of Customs. By closely monitoring high-risk shipments and identifying recurring smuggling patterns, mas napapalakas natin ang ating kakayahan na pigilan ang pagpasok ng illegal drugs sa bansa,” Nepomuceno said.

He also thanked the PDEA for its role in the successful interdiction operation.

The joint examination was conducted by the PDEA and various BOC units, including the Customs Anti-Illegal Drug Task Force (CAIDTF), Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS), Enforcement and Security Service (ESS), and X-ray Inspection Project (XIP), along with other concerned units.

The BOC said the operation underscores the agencies’ continuing efforts to strengthen port security, detect sophisticated concealment methods, and prevent illegal drugs from entering the Philippines. (Jason de Asis)

📸 BOC-PDEA SEIZE Php292.4-M SHABU AT MICP Authorities seized approximately 43 kilograms of suspected shabu worth Php292.4 million concealed in fabric pouches made to resemble talc stones in a shipment from Afghanistan at the Manila International Container Port (MICP). The shipment was intercepted through intensified profiling, risk assessment, and joint enforcement efforts of the Bureau of Customs and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency. (BOC photos via Jason de Asis)