The Bureau of Customs (BOC) announced on its official Facebook page that the BOC–Port of Clark has intercepted a major illegal drug shipment bound for Davao City, seizing two parcels containing ecstasy tablets worth more than P7 million as the country enters 2026 with intensified border security efforts.
According to the BOC’s post, the interdiction was conducted in close coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency–Airport Interdiction Unit (PDEA-AIU) and was witnessed by personnel from the Philippine National Police (PNP).
The BOC stated that the two parcels, which originated from Austria and were consigned to the same recipient in Davao City, yielded a total of 4,124 ecstasy tablets with an estimated value of P7,040,125.
Customs officials said the shipments arrived at an air express warehouse at Clark International Airport on December 24, 2025, during the peak holiday season.
The post stated that both parcels were flagged by the BOC’s X-ray Inspection Project (XIP) Team after suspicious images were detected, prompting customs examiners to conduct an immediate 100-percent physical examination in the presence of PDEA and PNP operatives.
The BOC said that, although declared as car mats, inspection revealed that the first parcel contained 2,693 ecstasy tablets valued at approximately P4.59 million, while the second parcel yielded 1,431 tablets worth around P2.45 million.
The BOC mentioned that initial on-site presumptive drug testing conducted by PDEA operatives, along with the use of the BOC’s Rigaku handheld spectrometer, confirmed that the seized tablets tested positive for illegal drugs.
Representative samples were subsequently submitted to PDEA for confirmatory laboratory examination to determine the exact chemical composition of the substance, believed to be Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), a dangerous drug under Republic Act No. 9165.
Pending laboratory confirmation, the BOC said a Warrant of Seizure and Detention will be issued for violations of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (Republic Act No. 10863), in relation to the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
District Collector Jairus S. Reyes said the successful interdiction reflects the agency’s heightened vigilance, even during peak travel and shipping periods.
Meanwhile, Customs Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno underscored the Bureau’s direction for the year, citing stronger border protection and sustained inter-agency coordination.
The BOC underscored its continued support for the government’s anti-illegal drugs campaign, preventing dangerous substances from reaching communities such as Davao City through strengthened border enforcement and close coordination with law enforcement partners.
