Photo credit: BOC

Talk about clever—but illegal—concealment! The Bureau of Customs (BOC) at the Port of Clark just made headlines after intercepting a shipment containing over Php 1.161 million worth of Ecstasy. The illegal drugs, weighing 2.05 kilograms, were cunningly stashed inside what was declared as a “Central Heating Boiler.” The shipment, which arrived from Germany on December 4, 2024, didn’t slip past the watchful eyes of BOC agents.

Here’s how they caught it: during routine profiling and X-ray scanning, BOC’s X-ray Inspection Project (XIP) inspectors noticed something unusual. A K-9 sniff test confirmed their suspicions, prompting a deeper inspection. Sure enough, they found the Ecstasy tucked away inside the heating equipment.

The operation was a team effort, with representatives from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Regional Office III, the PNP Aviation Security Unit, PNP Drug Enforcement Group III, NBI Pampanga, and local officials from Dau, Mabalacat City all pitching in. PDEA’s field tests later confirmed the substance as Methylenedioxymethamphetamine—a dangerous drug under Philippine law.

District Collector Jairus Reyes was quick to commend his team for their vigilance. “Through the continued and collective efforts of our agents, this remarkable success has been achieved. A commendation is both fitting and well-deserved,” he said, emphasizing how this interception sets a high standard for the future.

Meanwhile, Commissioner Bienvenido Y. Rubio highlighted the broader significance of this win. “This latest successful interception underscores our determination to safeguard our borders and uphold the safety of our citizens. We remain resolute in collaborating with partner agencies to detect and neutralize threats like Ecstasy that jeopardize the well-being of our nation,” he shared.

The shipment is now under a Warrant of Seizure and Detention for violations of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA) and other drug-related laws. Kudos to the Port of Clark team for proving that teamwork and technology can outsmart even the sneakiest attempts to smuggle illegal goods into the country.