Authorities intercepted P278 million worth of methamphetamine hydrochloride, locally known as shabu, hidden inside the structural rails of container vans at the Manila International Container Port, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) reported.
Customs Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno said the seizure involved 131 packages labeled as “marble” from Afghanistan. He noted that this is the first time the agency has encountered drugs concealed within the steel framework of containers rather than conventional packaging.
The shipment was flagged after a Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) intelligence report in December 2025, and an x-ray scan conducted on January 8 confirmed the presence of shabu inside the top rail of the container. The consignment had been declared abandoned after remaining unclaimed for more than 15 days.
Customs and PDEA coordinated the operation, which was carried out following established protocols for abandoned shipments and intelligence-driven inspections. The seizure highlights the evolving tactics used by smugglers to evade detection.
PDEA Director General Isagani Nerez said authorities are investigating the local and foreign networks involved in the shipment. The agency aims to identify intermediaries and collaborators to dismantle the broader distribution network.
Nepomuceno added that Customs will enhance scanning technology and strengthen coordination with other law enforcement agencies, including the Philippine National Police (PNP), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), and Crime Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), to prevent similar incidents.
The commissioner said upgrades to the Custom’s x-ray machines had been ordered as early as November 2025, reflecting ongoing efforts to improve cargo inspections and counter sophisticated smuggling methods.
