The Bureau of Customs at Clark Port has successfully intercepted a significant shipment of high-grade marijuana, commonly known as 'kush,' with an estimated street value of over eight hundred thousand pesos.
Drug Concealment in Keychain Parcel
Customs Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno revealed on Wednesday, November 26, 2026, that authorities discovered 538 grams of the illegal substance cleverly hidden within a package declared as containing keychains. The parcel had originated from Hong Kong and was destined for Biñan, Laguna before being intercepted by vigilant customs officers.
Detection and Confirmation Process
The suspicious package first arrived at Clark Port on November 15 and immediately raised red flags during the Bureau of Customs' X-ray Inspection Project scanning. Suspicious images prompted further investigation, leading to a K-9 sniff test conducted by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency on November 19.
The drug-sniffing dogs provided positive indications, confirming the presence of narcotics. A subsequent physical examination uncovered two boxes of 'Labubu' keychains, each containing transparent sealed pouches filled with dried leaves and fruiting tops.
Chemical analysis conducted by PDEA laboratories confirmed the substance contained tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the active component in marijuana classified as a dangerous drug under Republic Act 9165, the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
Legal Actions and Official Statements
Authorities issued a warrant of seizure and detention against the shipment for multiple violations of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA) in relation to RA 9165. The seizure demonstrates the effectiveness of the port's anti-smuggling measures.
District Collector Jairus Reyes praised the vigilance and profiling skills of frontline officers that led to this successful operation. He emphasized that "The Port of Clark maintains a heightened watch against any form of drug smuggling. Our proactive operations safeguard the public from the harms of illegal drugs and contribute to building safer communities."
This interception highlights the ongoing efforts of Philippine authorities to combat international drug trafficking networks attempting to use creative concealment methods to bypass border security measures.
