Manila: Bureau of Customs (BOC) Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno on Thursday led the inspection of a consolidated shipment found to contain illegal drugs at the Manila International Container Port (MICP).

According to Philippines News Agency, the inspection uncovered 110.24 kg. of suspected shabu concealed in four boxes, with an estimated street value of PHP749.63 million.

Acting on credible intelligence, the bureau issued an Alert Order on a 1-by-40-foot container declared as "balikbayan" boxes. Samples were immediately extracted and submitted to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) for confirmatory testing. Laboratory results later confirmed that the recovered substances were indeed methamphetamine hydrochloride.

The contraband seized by the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) will be turned over to PDEA for further investigation, in relation to the violation of Republic Act (RA) 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, and RA 10863, or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act.

Nepomuceno noted that the BOC remains unyielding in its campaign against drug smuggling. 'We will not allow criminal elements to exploit balikbayan privileges and tarnish the trust of our overseas Filipinos. This seizure underscores our commitment to protecting the country and its people,' he said.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has consistently underscored the importance of strengthening border protection measures to prevent the entry of illicit drugs into the country. The operation is aligned with the administration's vision for a secure and safer Philippines, free from the dangers and health risks caused by narcotics.