The Bureau of Customs–Ninoy Aquino International Airport (BOC-NAIA) has intercepted more than ₱10.6 million worth of marijuana in a series of interdictions involving inbound courier parcels, dealing another blow to transnational drug smuggling operations exploiting postal channels.

Customs officials said the seizures involved 20 abandoned inbound parcels containing dried marijuana leaves, commonly referred to as kush, discovered in coordinated operations with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the NAIA Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group (NAIA-IADITG).

The first interdiction was carried out on January 22, 2026, when nine parcels misdeclared as consumer items—including snacks, dried fruits, clothing, and art supplies—were found to contain marijuana with an estimated street value of ₱6.6 million.

A follow-up operation on February 2, 2026, led to the discovery of 11 additional parcels, similarly concealed and falsely declared, yielding another ₱4.07 million worth of illegal drugs.

Customs Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno said the latest seizures reflect the government’s intensified border enforcement drive under the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to shut down all entry points for illegal drugs.

“Sustained vigilance and close coordination with our partner agencies remain our strongest tools,” Nepomuceno said. “We will continue to strengthen our controls and act decisively against any attempt to bring illegal drugs into the country.”

All seized items were immediately secured and turned over to PDEA for proper disposition and further investigation. The shipments constitute violations of Republic Act No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, and Republic Act No. 10863, or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act.

BOC-NAIA District Collector Atty. Yasmin O. Mapa said inspection and enforcement measures at the airport have been intensified, particularly for parcels coursed through postal and courier services, which remain a favored route of drug syndicates.

“Every inbound shipment is subjected to strict profiling and examination,” Mapa said. “We are determined to deny smugglers any opportunity to use NAIA as a gateway for illegal drugs.”

With the latest interceptions, BOC-NAIA reported that the total value of illegal drugs seized at the airport this year has now exceeded ₱320 million, underscoring what officials described as an aggressive and sustained crackdown on narcotics smuggling.

Authorities said interdictions will continue as part of a whole-of-government effort to dismantle drug trafficking networks and secure the country’s borders.

Spread the news