Customs seizes P496.4M shabu hidden inside machine from Mexico

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The Bureau of Customs–Ninoy Aquino International Airport (BOC-NAIA) seized 73 kilograms of shabu worth P496.413 million that were allegedly hidden inside an industrial machine shipped from Guadalajara, Mexico.

In a press release issued Monday, the BOC said the machine, described as a pelletizing machine, arrived in the Philippines on September 26, 2026.

The bureau said it received an intelligence report indicating the possible presence of dangerous drugs in the shipment.

An Alert Order was subsequently issued, prompting a thorough examination of the machine on October 2 at a warehouse in Pasay City, in coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).

“During X-ray scanning, Customs authorities detected suspicious images within the tubular frames of the pelletizing machine,” the BOC said.

The possible presence of illegal drugs was further confirmed after a PDEA K9 unit conducted a sweep of the machine.

“Upon inspection of the tubular portions of the machine, authorities recovered multiple packages containing a white crystalline substance weighing a total of 73,002 grams,"

"The field testing conducted yielded a positive result for methamphetamine hydrochloride, commonly known as shabu,” the agency said.

In a statement, BOC Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno said the bureau remains committed to strengthening its operations as drug smugglers employ increasingly sophisticated methods to conceal illegal shipments.

He warned that individuals and groups attempting to use legitimate cargo as cover for drug smuggling would be held accountable.

“Smugglers may change their routes, methods, and concealment techniques, but our resolve remains the same. We will find these illegal shipments, stop them at the border, and work with our partner agencies to hold those responsible accountable,” Nepomuceno said.

"Illegal drugs will not slip past our ports and airports," he added.— MCG, GMA News

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