The Bureau of Customs–NAIA sent a chilling warning to drug syndicates after crushing a P3.72-million marijuana smuggling attempt hidden inside ordinary mail parcels at the Central Mail Exchange Center (CMEC).
Acting on President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s order to tighten borders and wipe out drug trafficking, BOC-NAIA operatives, working with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the NAIA Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group, intercepted eight inbound parcels packed with 2.48 kilos of high-grade marijuana (kush) on January 22, 2026.
The parcels were shamelessly disguised as clothes, dog food, and board games—a desperate ploy to sneak drugs through the country’s postal system. It didn’t work.
“WE ARE WATCHING EVERY PACKAGE” — NEPOMUCENO
BOC Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno minced no words as he praised the frontliners who stopped the shipment cold.

“This interception proves that Customs is relentlessly watching inbound mail. Criminal syndicates will NOT succeed in exploiting postal channels under this administration,” Nepomuceno said.
“Our message is simple: if you try to bring drugs into the country, we will find them, and we will stop you.”

The seized marijuana tested positive for illegal substances and was immediately turned over to PDEA for proper handling and case buildup.

MAPA: NO SAFE ENTRY POINT FOR DRUGS

BOC-NAIA District Collector Atty. Yasmin O. Mapa stressed that the operation shows how airtight airport enforcement has become.

“This is the result of tight coordination and zero tolerance. Mail facilities are NOT safe entry points for drugs,” Mapa declared.
“BOC-NAIA will continue to hunt down illegal shipments and shut the door on smugglers—no exceptions.”

MULTIPLE LAWS VIOLATED

Authorities said the interception violated Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act) and key provisions of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act, including misdeclaration, unlawful importation, and regulated importation violations.

CUSTOMS ON THE OFFENSIVE

With this latest bust, the Bureau of Customs once again proves it is on the offensive, tightening airport security and dismantling smuggling routes—one parcel at a time.

For drug traffickers eyeing the Philippines:
Customs is watching. Customs is ready. And Customs will strike.

Spread the news