Authorities inspect and inventory illegal drugs seized from 13 unclaimed parcels at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Central Mail Exchange Center. (Photos courtesy of the Bureau of Customs and Philippine National Police Aviation Security Group)
Authorities discovered P36 million worth of illegal drugs concealed in 13 unclaimed parcels at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Central Mail Exchange Center on Aug. 24.
The parcels, shipped from the Netherlands, United States, Germany, India, Thailand, and Poland, were addressed to recipients in Pasay, Parañaque, Bacoor, Tanza, Manila, Quezon City, Rizal, and Mandaluyong.
Suspicious X-ray images flagged by Bureau of Customs (BOC) personnel prompted further inspection.
A Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) narcotics detection dog confirmed possible contraband, leading to manual examination.
Authorities recovered about 9,695 grams of suspected illegal drugs and 3,756 tablets of 3,4 methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), including shabu, marijuana kush, and ketamine. The haul was estimated at P36,159,900.
The seized substances were turned over to the PDEA national office in Quezon City for legal and investigative action.