The past three days saw the seizure of a large haul of illegal drugs worth billions in Pampanga and Manila airport.

The National Bureau of Investigation, in collaboration with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, intercepted the distribution of 530 kilos of suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu at the Empire 999 Realty Corporation, Purok 5, San Jose Malino, Mexico City, Pampanga on 24 September.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said the drugs were estimated to be worth P3.6 billion.

"Yesterday, the agency committee that talked about the fight against illegal drugs decided to terminate the operation at a certain point where they confiscated the illegal drugs. The samples so far have revealed positive results," Remulla said.

He said the illegal drugs imported through the Subic port were confiscated in a warehouse at around 6:30 p.m.

Using undercover operatives, the NBI task force against illegal drugs managed to penetrate the drug syndicate, which led to the discovery of the plan to smuggle the drugs into the country and the identity of the personalities involved.

Joint elements of the NBI and PDEA seized 59 brown boxes containing 530 mixed red tea bags and golden tea bags containing a white crystalline substance suspected to be methamphetamine hydrochloride, a dangerous drug under RA 9165.

Each box contained a plastic bag of chicharon or dried fish to conceal the illegal drugs.

With markings in Thai, the illegal drugs reportedly arrived at the Subic Port on 18 September from Thailand on board the Sitc Shekou.

The surveillance operation started in 2020.

The NBI will collaborate with the National Prosecution Service to prepare the case documents for filing.

P26-million cocaine

On 27 September, 14,360 grams of cocaine worth P76 million were seized from two foreign passengers from Doha, Qatar, at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport by the Bureau of Customs Port of NAIA.