P2.64 Billion Worth of Shabu Seized in Shipment Labeled as Food from Pakistan

Authorities intercepted a shipment from Karachi, Pakistan containing P2.64 billion worth of shabu, disguised as food items, at the Port of Manila on Thursday.

Details of the Drug Bust

🔹 Shipment Declared As: Crispo vermicelli and Rafhan custard sauce
🔹 Shipped By: Ayan Enterprise/Trading & Logistics
🔹 Consignee: Redshinting Consumer Goods Trading
🔹 Discovered: 407 packs of white crystalline substances hidden in boxes

Customs Alert and Investigation

📌 Bureau of Customs (BOC) Commissioner Bien Rubio credited the successful operation to timely coordination between the BOC, National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), and Department of Justice (DOJ).

“Drug traffickers go to great lengths to deceive authorities and harm our communities. But our officers go to even greater lengths to protect our people,” Rubio stated.

How the Shipment Was Intercepted

🔸 The Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) issued an alert order after receiving intelligence from the NBI.
🔸 A 100% physical examination of the cargo led to the discovery of 404.95 kilos of shabu hidden inside packaging labeled as Kirkland Organic Dried Mango.

Legal Actions and Security Measures

🚔 Suspected drugs were turned over to PDEA for further laboratory testing.
🚔 The District Collector of POM issued a Warrant of Seizure and Detention against the shipment for violations under the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA) and Republic Act No. 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002).
🚔 The consignees, senders, and recipients of the shipment will face criminal charges for prohibited importation, misdeclaration, and smuggling of illegal drugs.

Authorities’ Commitment to Drug Crackdown

🔹 CIIS Director Verne Enciso: “After receiving derogatory information, we acted immediately to secure and inspect the shipment.”
🔹 Deputy Commissioner for Intelligence Juvymax Uy: “Border security is national security. We are committed to strengthening our efforts against illegal drug smuggling.”

This marks the first major drug bust of 2025, highlighting the government’s intensified efforts against international drug trafficking networks.