A routine screening operation turned into a major breakthrough as authorities intercepted a high-value shipment of illegal drugs worth more than Php114 Million at the country’s main gateway, preventing it from reaching the streets.
The latest interception underscores the intensified efforts of law enforcement agencies to secure national borders against the entry of illegal drugs. The operation was carried out through the combined efforts of the Philippine National Police (PNP), under the leadership of Police Lieutenant General Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr., Acting Chief, PNP, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), and the Bureau of Customs.
On the evening of January 8, 2026, personnel of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group conducted an interdiction operation at the Pairpags Cargo Import Warehouse in Pasay City. During the operation, an inbound parcel declared as “clothing” was flagged during x-ray screening, prompting further inspection.
The parcel subsequently yielded a positive indication from a narcotics detection dog. A manual inspection revealed approximately 16,848 grams of suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride, commonly known as shabu, with an estimated Standard Drug Price of Php114,566,400.
As a result of the operation, three Filipino males were arrested, including two broker representatives aged 58 and 61, and one porter aged 35. In addition to the illegal drugs, authorities recovered several items believed to be connected to the attempted smuggling, including multiple mobile phones, bags, identification cards, and various documents.
The arrested individuals, along with all seized evidence, were turned over to the PDEA for documentation and proper disposition, while appropriate charges are being prepared in accordance with existing laws, as of this writing.
PLtGen Nartatez emphasized that the successful operation demonstrates the government’s firm resolve to protect the country’s gateways from criminal groups.
“This interception shows that our gateways are being guarded and that criminal groups will be confronted wherever they operate. Patuloy nating paiigtingin ang pagbabantay sa ating mga paliparan at pantalan upang hindi makalusot ang iligal na droga,” he said.
As PNP continues to pursue its mission of protecting the public from illegal drugs and other criminal activities, it remains committed in intensifying its anti-illegal drug operations, sending a clear message that those who attempt to undermine the safety of communities will be relentlessly pursued and held accountable under the full force of the law.
