Authorities seized suspected illegal drugs concealed inside LED lighting units in a warehouse in Pasay City, with an estimated value of Php 249.83 million.
The Bureau of Customs (BOC) said the shipment, declared as LED spotlights from Mexico, was flagged after non-intrusive scanning showed irregular images inconsistent with its declared contents.
Following the alert, the cargo was marked for full physical inspection and later examined at a warehouse facility in Pasay.
On April 17, 2026, joint teams from Customs enforcement units conducted the detailed inspection, supported by a K9 sweep that indicated possible presence of illegal drugs.
The opening of the shipment revealed white crystalline substances hidden inside the lighting fixtures, which were later confirmed through field testing as methamphetamine hydrochloride.
Authorities said the seized drugs weighed about 36.74 kilograms and were validated in coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).
The bureau said the operation highlighted strengthened risk assessment procedures and closer coordination among enforcement agencies to intercept illicit shipments entering the country.
The seized items were turned over for documentation and custody, while authorities prepared charges under the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act and customs laws against those linked to the shipment.