Another major blow has been dealt to the illegal drug trade as the Bureau of Customs–Port of Clark, under the firm watch of District Collector Jairus S. Reyes, seized a staggering ₱11.6 million worth of suspected shabu concealed inside ordinary-looking automotive parts.

A total of approximately 1,706 grams of methamphetamine hydrochloride, commonly known as shabu, was intercepted in a shipment originating from South Africa and bound for Angeles City, Pampanga.

This was no lucky catch.

It was vigilance, technology, trained personnel—and aggressive enforcement that stopped the shipment dead in its tracks.

The shipment initially went through regular Customs clearance procedures. But when the BOC X-ray Inspection Project (XIP) detected suspicious images inside the declared car parts, Customs personnel immediately raised the alarm.

The K-9 unit was then deployed.

The dogs sniffed out what the smugglers desperately tried to hide.

A positive indication triggered a 100-percent physical examination, exposing the shipment’s deadly secret.

Inside two engine pistons and one tensioner pulley kit, Customs personnel discovered 17 black and transparent plastic packages containing a white crystalline substance suspected to be shabu.

Initial screening through a Rigaku Spectrometer indicated the presence of methamphetamine. Representative samples were subsequently turned over to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) for confirmatory laboratory examination.

The shipment was placed under seizure after a Warrant of Seizure and Detention (WSD) was issued for violations of relevant provisions of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA) in relation to Republic Act No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, as amended.

REYES: NO ROOM FOR SMUGGLERS

For District Collector Jairus S. Reyes, the operation sends a powerful message: smugglers cannot rely on sophisticated concealment techniques to beat a determined Customs force.

Reyes stressed the need to continuously sharpen the skills and capabilities of Customs frontliners as criminal syndicates constantly develop new ways to move contraband across borders.

«“Patuloy nating pinapalakas ang training at skills ng ating Customs frontliners. Their vigilance and expertise remain our strongest defense against evolving smuggling methods.”»

And that vigilance was put to the ultimate test in this shipment.

The smugglers hid the drugs. Customs found them.

NEPOMUCENO: EVERY SEIZURE SAVES LIVES

Customs Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno likewise underscored that the real value of an anti-drug operation cannot be measured by pesos alone.

«“Hindi lang halaga ng nasamsam ang mahalaga. Bawat pagkakasabat ay nangangahulugang mas maraming mapanganib na ilegal na droga ang napipigilang makarating sa mga pamilya at komunidad ng mga Pilipino.”»

That message cuts straight to the heart of the operation.

The ₱11.6-million seizure is not merely a Customs accomplishment. It represents potentially thousands of doses of dangerous drugs that will no longer reach Filipino streets, homes and communities.

CLARK BORDER BECOMES A WALL

The successful interception also demonstrates the growing strength of the BOC–Port of Clark and the Clark Inter-Agency Task Force Against Illegal Drugs (CRK-IATFAID).

Through the combined use of X-ray technology, K-9 capability, physical examination and inter-agency coordination, the operation exposed an increasingly sophisticated smuggling tactic—using legitimate-looking automotive components as a Trojan horse for illegal drugs.

But under Reyes, the message from Clark is unmistakable:

TRY TO HIDE IT. CUSTOMS WILL FIND IT.

The Port of Clark has once again proven that the country’s borders are not open hunting grounds for international drug syndicates.

With Reyes leading the charge, Customs personnel are being pushed to remain sharper, more vigilant and more aggressive against every attempt to infiltrate the country with dangerous contraband.

₱11.6 MILLION WORTH OF SHABU STOPPED.

1.7 KILOS OFF THE STREETS.

ONE MORE ROUTE CLOSED TO THE DRUG TRADE.

And the warning from Clark could not be clearer:

SMUGGLERS BEWARE—REYES AND THE BOC ARE WATCHING.

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