Manila: Authorities have intercepted a shipment containing 41 kilograms of shabu approximately worth PHP278 million at the Manila International Container Port (MICP) in North Harbor, Manila.
According to Philippines News Agency, the seizure ranks among the country's largest drug interdictions, highlighting robust inter-agency collaboration in the government's campaign against illegal drugs. "The success of this operation once again demonstrates that unified government action remains the most effective weapon against the drug menace," PDEA chief Undersecretary Isagani Nerez said in a statement. He added the seizure of such a massive quantity of illegal substances represents not only a major law enforcement success but also a significant social impact.
"By preventing these dangerous substances from reaching communities, the operation has potentially saved countless lives, shielded families from harm, and safeguarded the future of the country's youth from the threat of addiction," Nerez said.
The seizure was a result of a joint operation by PDEA, the Philippine National Police (PNP), and the Bureau of Customs (BOC) conducted under the institutional guidelines formulated by the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB). In a separate statement, the BOC said the shipment, declared as "marble," arrived at MICP on Dec. 31, 2025, but was declared abandoned after no goods declaration was filed within the 15-day period.
An X-ray scan on Sunday revealed suspicious images in the container's top rail, and a physical examination the following day resulted in the recovery of a white powdery substance concealed within the container, later confirmed by PDEA to be methamphetamine hydrochloride as "shabu." Nerez said the operation was also a product of information sharing from foreign counterparts that highlighted the capabilities of BOC's X-ray screening process and PDEA's Narcotics Detection Dogs. "This is a major victory for the Filipino people and a severe blow against organized drug syndicates," he said.
Meanwhile, the Police Regional Office-Cordillera Administrative Region (PRO-CAR) on Tuesday said it has seized more than PHP35.3 million worth of narcotics and arrested four drug personalities during a weeklong operation from Feb. 2 to 8. PRO-CAR said it conducted 31 operations, including 27 marijuana eradication drives and four buy-bust operations, resulting in the seizure of 143,395 fully grown marijuana plants; 1,550 seedlings; 52,000 grams of dried marijuana leaves and fruiting tops; 3,000 grams of dried stalks; and 8.67 grams of shabu, with a total standard drug price of PHP35,399,956.00.
The largest confiscations occurred in Benguet, where PHP33,477,720 worth of illegal drugs were recovered and one high-value individual arrested. In Kalinga, PHP1,906,800 worth of narcotics were seized along with two suspects, while operations in Abra netted PHP15,436 worth of shabu and one suspect.
