Manila: The Bureau of Customs-Ninoy Aquino International Airport (BOC-NAIA) intercepted earlier this week a shipment containing methamphetamine hydrochloride, commonly known as shabu, with an estimated street value of PHP6.72 million. The illegal drugs, weighing 988.5 grams, were discovered on Monday during an inspection at the Central Mail Exchange Center (CMEC) in Pasay City.

According to Philippines News Agency, BOC Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio stated in a news release on Thursday that the contraband was misdeclared as 'ladies wear and bags.' The district collector, lawyer Yasmin Mapa, mentioned that the claimant of the shipment was arrested and turned over to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) for criminal prosecution for violations of Republic Act No. 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002) and Republic Act No. 10863 (Customs Modernization and Tariff Act).

Rubio emphasized that the operation was in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s directive to intensify the national campaign against illegal drugs and reinforce border security. He remarked, "We remain steadfast in our mission to safeguard the nation's borders and protect our communities from the dangers posed by illegal drugs."