A crushing blow was dealt to international drug syndicates after the Bureau of Customs (BOC) intercepted ₱249.83 million worth of shabu cleverly concealed inside LED spotlights during a warehouse inspection in Pasay City.

Under the hard-hitting leadership of Customs Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno, the BOC once again proved that smugglers and narcotics traffickers have nowhere to hide amid the intensified anti-drug campaign of the Marcos administration.

Joining Nepomuceno in the high-impact operation were top Customs officials: Deputy Commissioner for Intelligence Group Gen. Licup, Deputy Commissioner for Enforcement Group Gen. Bathan, CIIS Director Narcise, ESS Director Gen. Noel Estanislao, and CAIDTF Head Atty. Gilbert Ordona, and NAIA District Collector Atty. Yasmin “Yas” Obillos-Mapa.

BUSTED BY X-RAY!

The shipment, declared as ordinary LED spotlights from Mexico, immediately triggered suspicion after BOC intelligence officers detected unusual images through X-ray scanning that did not match the declared contents.

This prompted authorities to order a 100% physical examination, leading to the transfer of the cargo to a warehouse in Pasay for a full inspection.

K9 ALERT! SHABU FOUND INSIDE LIGHTS

On April 17, operatives from the Customs Anti-Illegal Drug Task Force and the Enforcement and Security Service conducted the inspection. When the K9 unit positively alerted to narcotics, officers began opening the LED spotlights one by one.

Authorities were stunned after discovering white crystalline substances hidden inside the lighting equipment.

Field examiners, in coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), confirmed the substances as Methamphetamine Hydrochloride or shabu, weighing 36,740 grams.

NEPOMUCENO: “WE WILL NOT STOP!”

Commissioner Nepomuceno issued a firm warning:

“We will not stop blocking every attempt to smuggle illegal drugs into the country. We will make sure these dangerous substances never reach our communities.”

Under his leadership, border protection efforts continue to strengthen while the grip of international drug syndicates is being dismantled.

BOC’S KEY STRIKE TEAM MOVES IN

The successful operation was powered by the coordinated efforts of key officials:

* Gen. Licup – mastermind of intelligence operations
* Gen. Bathan – spearheaded enforcement execution
* Director Narcise – led CIIS surveillance and profiling
* Gen. Estanislao – secured the operation and tactical support
* Atty. Ordona – headed the anti-drug task force
* Collector Yas Obillos-Mapa – drove the district-level operation

According to Obillos-Mapa, the seizure proves the effectiveness of profiling, X-ray scanning, and synchronized enforcement action against smugglers.

CHARGES FILED, JAIL AWAITS

The seized contraband is now under BOC custody pending turnover to PDEA. Criminal charges for violations of RA 9165, the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA), and other laws will be filed against all persons involved — from importers and consignees to their accomplices.

MESSAGE TO DRUG SYNDICATES:

Under Nepomuceno’s watch at Customs, every shipment can become a trap.

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