Two drug smuggling suspects—a mother and her son—were arrested and are now in the custody of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) after authorities seized approximately ₱170 million worth of crystal meth or “shabu” in an anti-drug operation.

Last week, the Bureau of Customs (BOC), together with the Seaport Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group-VII (SIDITG-VII), intercepted the two suspects carrying 25 kilograms of shabu at Cebu port.
Upon closer examination, the BOC and SIBITG-VII confirmed 25 plastic packages containing shabu, leading to the immediate seizure of the contraband.

The suspects will be charged under Section 5 of Republic Act 9165, the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, for illegally transporting, distributing, and selling prohibited substances.

Marijuana in balikbayan boxes

In a separate operation, ₱39 million worth of kush concealed in two balikbayan boxes from Canada were intercepted by authorities at the Manila International Container Port (MICP).

On Feb. 5, the BOC and PDEA agents confirmed the presence of kush in 108 pieces of vacuum-sealed pouches inside two balikbayan boxes which were bound for San Mateo, Rizal.

“They were originally declared to contain used household goods and personal effects from Canada,” the BOC reported.

According to Customs Intelligence and Investigation Services (CIIS) Director Verne Enciso, “the physical examination of these boxes leaves no doubt that they shipped illegal drugs in the guise of used household items. The amount of marijuana we found will certainly hurt communities we swore to protect.”

The first balikbayan box held 56 vacuum-sealed pouches of kush, totaling approximately 14.67 kilograms, along with a small plastic container of 60 unidentified tablets. The second balikbayan box contained 52 vacuum-sealed pouches of kush, weighing approximately 13.62 kilograms.

Overall, these 28.3 kilograms of kush are valued at approximately ₱39.61 million, according to PDEA.
BOC Commissioner Bien Rubio condemned the misuse of balikbayan boxes—symbols of the Filipino diaspora—for smuggling illegal drugs into the country.

“I see balikbayan boxes as a symbol of the love and sacrifice of Filipino families so they can have a good life. For other Filipinos to use these in the illicit trade of drugs that destroy lives and communities is horrifying,” Rubio said.

Authorities will file charges against the consignees, senders, and recipients under customs and anti-drug laws, citing violations of illegal importation, misdeclaration, and drug trafficking under the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA) and the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.