Pasay city: Authorities led by the Bureau of Customs (BOC) intercepted 39 international inbound parcels containing various suspected dangerous drugs with an estimated street value of PHP41 million in separate operations at the Central Mail Exchange Center in Pasay City. Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno, who inspected the illegal drugs on Friday, said the shipments were flagged through customs profiling, X-ray screening, K9 inspection, and physical examination, in close coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the Philippine Postal Corp.

According to Philippines News Agency, five inbound parcels from India were found to contain 4,344 grams of suspected shabu worth PHP29.54 million. The other 34 inbound parcels-originating from the United States, Spain, Germany, Canada, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom-contained various suspected dangerous drugs, including 5,659 grams of kush worth PHP8.49 million and 707 grams of ecstasy worth PHP3 million.

The shipments were consigned to recipients in Metro Manila, Cavite, Laguna, Pampanga, Cebu, Cagayan de Oro, Surigao, Antique, and other parts of the country. All seized parcels were turned over to the PDEA for laboratory examination and further investigation in accordance with existing customs laws and regulations.

Nepomuceno said the successful interdiction reflects the agency's mandate and commitment in carrying out the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to strengthen border security and prevent the entry of illegal drugs and other contraband into the country. He assured the public that the BOC will further strengthen its coordination with partner agencies to ensure that this type of contraband does not enter the country and that anyone who violates the law will be held accountable.