Authorities intercepted an abandoned parcel containing suspected illegal drugs worth more than ₱26.9 million during a joint interdiction operation at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), officials reported.
The parcel was discovered at a cargo handling facility inside the NAIA Complex in Pasay City.
According to authorities, the shipment was flagged during routine cargo X-ray screening conducted by personnel of the Bureau of Customs. K-9 units from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) assisted in the inspection.
A subsequent manual inspection confirmed the presence of approximately 3,962 grams of a white crystalline substance believed to be methamphetamine hydrochloride, commonly known as shabu.
Authorities said the shipment originated from a shipper based in Malawi and was consigned to an individual in Pasig City.
The parcel had reportedly been abandoned, prompting intelligence operatives assigned at the airport to initiate interdiction procedures.
The confiscated substance was turned over to PDEA for laboratory examination and proper disposition after the agency took cognizance of the case.
Philippine National Police Chief Police General Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. commended the operatives involved in the interception and emphasized the importance of coordination among agencies operating at the airport.
He said the operation demonstrated effective cooperation through intelligence monitoring and strict inspection procedures that prevented the entry of a large quantity of illegal drugs into the country.
Nartatez added that authorities will continue to monitor parcels and cargo shipments used by drug syndicates to smuggle illegal substances.
The operation forms part of the Philippine National Police’s Focused Agenda under Enhanced Managing Police Operations, which strengthens intelligence-driven coordination against drug trafficking.
Authorities said monitoring at ports of entry will continue as part of ongoing efforts to prevent illegal drugs from entering the country.
