Another massive shabu shipment has fallen into the hands of the Bureau of Customs (BOC)—this time, ₱476 million worth of methamphetamine hydrochloride concealed in balikbayan boxes from the United States.

The seizure, carried out on September 2, 2025, at a courier warehouse in Vitas, Tondo, Manila, was the result of a sharp, coordinated effort between the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS), the Customs Anti-Illegal Drugs Task Force (CAIDTF), and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).

Inside the balikbayan boxes—mixed with canned goods, backpacks, and personal effects—were 70 vacuum-sealed packs of white crystalline substance weighing 70 kilos. The drugs were traced to a shipment from Long Beach, California, and consigned to Bacoor, Cavite.

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Alviar’s Signature on Enforcement

What truly sealed the operation, however, was the swift action of District Collector Alexander Gerard “Alex” Alviar of the Port of Manila.

Right after the contraband was uncovered, Alviar wasted no time: he issued a Warrant of Seizure and Detention (WSD). This move not only ensured that the case would stand on solid legal ground, but also demonstrated Alviar’s uncompromising stance against drug traffickers who exploit balikbayan boxes—symbols of the sacrifice and hard work of overseas Filipinos—for their criminal trade.

In law enforcement, timing matters. Alviar’s decisiveness guaranteed that there would be no legal gray area, no procedural gaps for drug syndicates to hide behind. His leadership anchored the entire operation.

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Reinforcing the Marcos Directive

BOC Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno, together with Deputy Commissioners for IG Romeo Rosales and Deputy. Comm. for EG Gen. Nathan and CIIS Director Narcise, inspected the shipment the following day. Nepomuceno framed the interception as a testament to the BOC’s heightened vigilance, echoing President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s call to protect the nation’s borders and the integrity of balikbayan boxes.

Yet on the ground, it was Collector Alviar’s firm and immediate action that ensured the contraband was locked down, documented, and properly turned over to PDEA without delay.

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No Loopholes, No Excuses

This is the kind of leadership smuggling syndicates fear most: enforcement officers who leave them with no legal escape hatch. By issuing the WSD immediately, Alviar not only upheld procedure but also sent a clear message—under his watch at the Port of Manila, there will be no room for complacency, no space for compromise.

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👉 Final Word: The interception of ₱476 million worth of shabu is a victory not just for the BOC but for Filipinos whose families rely on the sanctity of balikbayan boxes. And in this operation, District Collector Alex Alviar stood out—firm, decisive, and unwilling to let the nation down

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