Clark, Freeport – Efforts to exploit commercial cargo channels were thwarted at the Bureau of Customs (BOC) – Port of Clark after customs authorities intercepted a shipment falsely declared as “steel brackets and fasteners,” only to find suspected high-grade marijuana hidden inside. Conducted in coordination with the Clark Inter-Agency Task Force Against Illegal Drugs (CRK-IATFAID), the operation prevented nearly ₱7 million worth of illicit drugs from entering the country.
Arriving from France on January 26, 2026, and bound for Taguig City, the shipment drew attention during routine risk assessment and was flagged for further scrutiny under the X-ray Inspection Project (XIP). Subsequent scanning revealed irregularities inconsistent with the declared contents, prompting escalation of the inspection. A K-9 sweep conducted by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) yielded a positive indication for the presence of dangerous drugs.
A complete physical inspection resulted in the recovery of ten (10) plastic bags containing dried leaves and fruiting tops suspected to be marijuana or “Kush.” The total weight of the seized drugs reached approximately 4,664 grams, with an estimated market value of ₱6.996 million.
Laboratory analysis conducted by the PDEA later verified that the substance was marijuana, a dangerous drug under Republic Act No. 9165, as amended. The shipment was determined to be in violation of pertinent provisions of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (RA 10863), in relation to the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.
Jairus S. Reyes, District Collector of the BOC – Port of Clark, emphasized the importance of vigilance and coordination, stating, “This interception proves the strength of our risk profiling, non-intrusive inspection, and inter-agency coordination. We remain firm in stopping illegal drugs at our borders.”
For the month of January 2026, preliminary report showed that the BOC–Port of Clark has intercepted a cumulative worth of ₱21.258 million, demonstrating how sustained enforcement and coordinated efforts continue to block illicit substances from entering the country.
Positioning border vigilance as central to frontline enforcement-driven customs operations, Customs Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno highlighted the Bureau’s operational focus: “Our direction is clear: tighten border security controls, disrupt illicit supply chains, and keep our communities and the people safe from the harm posed by these illegal substances,” the Commissioner stated.
Anchored on President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s national security agenda, the BOC–Port of Clark will continue to sustain heightened enforcement operations and inter-agency coordination to ensure that the country’s borders remain secure against illegal drugs and other prohibited goods. (BOC-Port of Clark)