Nearly 1 kilo of suspected morphine, hemp products seized at Port of Clark

Authorities seized nearly one kilogram of suspected morphine and assorted suspected hemp products in two separate interdiction operations at the Port of Clark on 13 January 2026.

According to officials, the operations were carried out through the joint efforts of the Clark International Airport Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group (Clark AIADITG), composed of operatives from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Airport Interdiction Unit, PDEA Pampanga Provincial Office, Bureau of Customs–Port of Clark, National Bureau of Investigation Pampanga District Office, Philippine National Police Aviation Security Unit 3, and the PNP Drug Enforcement Group SOU3.

The first interdiction involved a shipment containing approximately 994 grams of suspected morphine that originated from England and arrived at the Port of Clark on January 9, 2026. The parcel was intercepted at around 10:52 a.m. during routine inspection procedures.

According to PDEA Director General Isagani R. Nerez, “Morphine is a powerful and effective pain reliever but is classified as a dangerous drug due to its high potential for abuse, dependency, and serious side effects, including life-threatening respiratory depression and death.”

“Any attempt to smuggle this substance into the country poses a serious threat to public health and safety,” he added.

The second interdiction involved a parcel containing assorted suspected hemp products that originated from Wilmington, United States, and arrived at the Port of Clark on 6 January 2026.

Confiscated items included 100 pieces of suspected hemp gummies, 180 gel capsules, and 60 capsules. Hemp is a variety of the cannabis plant that contains lower levels of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the compound responsible for the psychoactive effects of marijuana.

Both parcels were subjected to inspection following a positive alert by a PDEA Narcotics Detection Dog, which indicated the presence of dangerous drugs. All seized substances were immediately turned over to the PDEA National Headquarters Laboratory Service for forensic examination and confirmatory testing.

“The success of these interdiction operations reflects the strong coordination among our law enforcement partners and our firm resolve to stop illegal drugs at the country’s borders and protect the public from the dangers of illegal drugs,” Nerez said.