The Bureau of Customs (BOC) successfully intercepted an attempt to smuggle illegal drugs at Clark Port as part of its intensified anti-drug campaign.
Authorities seized thousands of Ecstasy tablets, also known as “party drugs,” with a street value of P8.3 million.
The operation was successful due to the joint efforts of the BOC Port of Clark, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), Enforcement and Security Service (ESS) of BOC’s Customs Anti-Illegal Drug Task Force (CAIDTF), and the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS).
The suspicious shipment was flagged by the BOC X-ray Inspection Project and was later confirmed through a K9 inspection, which indicated the presence of illegal drugs.
A physical inspection of the cargo revealed one box of espresso capsules and three boxes of coffee beans.
The Ecstasy tablets were concealed within coffee beans inside the three boxes, which were shipped from the Netherlands.
Samples were sent to PDEA for chemical analysis, which confirmed that the tablets contained Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), commonly known as Ecstasy.
A Warrant of Seizure and Detention was issued against the shipment for violations of Sections 1400, 118(g), 119(d), and 1113 paragraphs f, i, and l (3 & 4) of Republic Act No. 10863, also known as the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA), in relation to Republic Act No. 9165, the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.