Drugs concealed in wooden cable spool
The Bureau of Customs – Port of Clark, in coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency – Airport Interdiction Unit (PDEA-AIU) and the Clark Inter-Agency Task Force Against Illegal Drugs (CRK-IATFAID), intercepted a shipment containing 6,156 grams of Ketamine, a dangerous drug, with an estimated value of ₱30,780,000.00.
The shipment, declared as “Solar Cables,” originated from the Netherlands and was bound for Pasig City.
Customs Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno highlighted the broader impact of the Bureau’s enforcement efforts on Filipino communities. “Every drug shipment we stop represents lives protected and families spared from harm. This is not just enforcement—it is our duty to safeguard the well-being of every Filipino,” he said.
The shipment was flagged for examination based on derogatory information received from PDEA. A K-9 sniff test yielded positive indications of illegal substances, prompting a full physical inspection of the parcel.
During the examination, authorities discovered a wooden cable spool containing coiled wires. Upon dismantling the cable assembly, authorities uncovered six (6) transparent plastic pouches containing a white crystalline substance concealed within the structure. Initial testing using a Rigaku Spectrometer confirmed the substance as Ketamine, a dangerous drug under Republic Act No. 9165, as amended.
A Warrant of Seizure and Detention was issued against the shipment for violations of Sections 118(g), 119(d), and 1113 paragraphs (f), (i), and (l)(3)(4)of Republic Act No. 10863, or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA), in relation to R.A. No. 9165.
District Collector Jairus S. Reyes emphasized the importance of advancing Customs capabilities in combating sophisticated smuggling methods. “Smugglers continue to evolve their tactics, and so must we. Strengthening our profiling systems and continuously building the expertise of our examiners are key to staying ahead and protecting our borders,” Reyes said.
These apprehensions underscore the Port of Clark’s sustained vigilance against drug smuggling. The Bureau of Customs remains steadfast in securing the country’s borders and protecting the Filipino people from the dangers of illegal drugs.