Over P25 Million Illegal Drugs Seized at Port
Authorities uncovered over P25 million worth of illegal drugs hidden inside a wooden cable reel at the Port of Clark in Pampanga. The Bureau of Customs (BOC) and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) worked together to intercept this shipment, which was declared as a data cable roll but concealed ketamine.
The 5,062 grams of ketamine, valued at P25,310,000, arrived from Belgium and was destined for San Rafael, Rizal. Officials flagged the parcel due to suspicious declarations during a physical inspection on July 24. Subsequent K-9 sniff tests on July 30 confirmed the presence of drugs.
Detailed Examination Reveals Hidden Ketamine
Inside the 19-kilogram wooden cable reel, covered with spray foam, investigators found six plastic pouches containing ketamine. This clever concealment prompted authorities to issue a warrant of seizure and detention. The shipment violated the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act as well as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act, sources said.
Additional Drug Shipments Intercepted at Port
In a related operation on July 29, two more shipments bound for Quezon City were stopped at the Port of Clark. One parcel came from Paris and contained 52 grams of ecstasy, disguised as animal food. The street value of this shipment was estimated at P265,200.
The other shipment originated from Austria and was concealed as documents. Inside, authorities found 52 grams of ketamine valued at P260,000. These seizures highlight continued efforts to prevent illegal drugs from entering the country.
Local officials noted the importance of vigilance in cargo inspections to stop such high-value drugs from slipping through ports. “Mahalagang mahigpit ang bantay sa mga shipping areas upang mapigilan ang pagpasok ng mga ilegal na droga,” they added.
For more news and updates on illegal drug seizures, visit Filipinokami.com.
