MANILA – The Bureau of Customs-Ninoy Aquino International Airport (BOC-NAIA) recently intercepted an inbound express cargo containing suspected dangerous drugs with a total estimated street value of PHP1.69 million in Pasay City.

In a statement Monday, BOC-NAIA District Collector Yasmin Obillos-Mapa said the shipment, which was declared as containing vitamins, supplements, baby wash and body wash products, was intercepted at the DHL Express Gateway Warehouse in NAIA on Nov. 9.

The shipment was subjected to a 100 percent physical examination as it yielded suspicious images after an X-ray scanning conducted by Customs officers.

The examination resulted in the discovery of 995 pieces of dark gray tablets and broken tablets of ecstasy.

Obillos-Mapa said both the shipper and consignee, whose identities were withheld, are currently undergoing investigation and case build-up for possible prosecution for violations of Republic Act (RA) 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2022) and RA 10863, or the Customs Modernization Act.

The operation was in coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and the NAIA Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group.

Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio, meanwhile, said this is a testament of the unwavering border protection efforts of BOC personnel in coordination with law enforcement agencies to prevent the entry of narcotics into the country.