The Bureau of Customs-Port of Clark, working with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, seized two shipments containing 19.89 kilograms of ketamine worth ₱99.445 million, authorities said.
The seizures were made Oct. 22, 2026, following information from the PDEA Airport Interdiction Unit. Both shipments underwent physical inspection, and laboratory tests by the agency confirmed that the recovered substances tested positive for ketamine.
The first shipment, weighing 9,882 grams, originated in Switzerland and was bound for Mandaluyong City. Its contents were declared as roasted coffee beans, a coffee machine and coffee preparation equipment.
The second shipment came from Amsterdam and weighed 10,007 grams. It was declared as sodium bicarbonate cleaning powder and was intended for delivery to Montalban, Rizal.
The combined weight of the seized substance was 19.89 kilograms, with an estimated value of ₱99.445 million.
Ketamine is regulated under Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, as amended.
BOC-Port of Clark District Collector Jairus S. Reyes said authorities would strengthen monitoring as parcel volume is expected to increase during the holiday season.
Reyes said the port would intensify document checks and physical inspections and ensure that its X-ray machines are properly functioning. He stressed careful checks of incoming parcels and properly working X-ray equipment at ports.
BOC Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno said the bureau would continue implementing President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to intensify the campaign against illegal drugs.
Nepomuceno said the BOC would strengthen inspections and operations as shipments increase during the holiday season to prevent illegal drugs from entering the country.
The bureau said it would continue intelligence-based operations and coordination with partner agencies to prevent drug smuggling.
The two shipments were intercepted through coordination between the BOC and PDEA, with the agency’s laboratory examination confirming the presence of ketamine in the seized substances.
