BOC-Clark, PDEA Nab Consignee of ₱75.072 Million Worth of “Shabu” Hidden Inside Industrial Chiller
In line with the marching orders of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to intensify the national campaign against illegal drugs, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) through the Port of Clark, in close coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the Clark International Airport Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Group (CRK-IADIG), apprehended two individuals linked to the smuggling of 11.04 kilograms of Methamphetamine Hydrochloride or “Shabu,” with an estimated value of ₱75,072,000.00.
The contraband was concealed inside a shipment declared as “Industrial Water Chiller” originating from Lazaro Cardenas, Mexico, and bound for Cainta, Rizal. The parcel arrived on August 26, 2025, and was immediately subjected to X-ray scanning and K-9 inspection following derogatory information from PDEA.

Both inspections yielded positive results, prompting a full physical examination.
Inside the chiller, authorities discovered one plastic cylinder wrapped in lead shielding containing a crystalline substance. Laboratory testing confirmed it to be Methamphetamine Hydrochloride, a dangerous drug under Republic Act No. 9165.
A Warrant of Seizure and Detention (WSD) was promptly issued by District Collector Jairus S. Reyes against the shipment for violation of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (RA 10863) in relation to RA 9165.
On August 30, 2025, a follow-up Airport Interdiction Operation led by BOC-Clark, PDEA, and CRK-IADIG resulted in the arrest of two male claimants, aged 52 and 54, who attempted to retrieve the parcel at the warehouse. Both suspects are now under PDEA Region III custody and will face charges under RA 9165.

Reyes: “Clark is Always on High Alert.”
District Collector Jairus S. Reyes commended the vigilance and coordination of frontline officers, stressing the Port’s firm stance against drug smuggling.

“The Port of Clark continues to be on high alert. Beyond seizures, our priority is to prevent these harmful substances from reaching our communities,” Reyes emphasized.

Nepomuceno: “We Will Never Let Our Guard Down”
Customs Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno lauded the successful operation and underscored the agency’s strong commitment to protecting the Filipino people.
“This operation sends a clear message that the Bureau of Customs will never let its guard down against illegal drugs,” Nepomuceno declared.
“Our commitment to protect the Filipino people remains firm, and we will continue to work closely with our partner agencies to stop the entry of these dangerous substances at all costs.”

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