Customs agents intercepted eight inbound parcels containing illegal drugs worth an estimated P3.7 million at a mail exchange center near the capital’s main airport, officials announced.

The Bureau of Customs (BoC) said the shipments, which arrived 22 January at the Central Mail Exchange Center, were declared as consumer goods including clothing, dog food and board games. During inspection, authorities discovered 2,482 grams of high-grade dried marijuana, also known as “kush,” hidden inside the packages.

The substances tested positive for illegal drugs during field screening and have been turned over to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).

BoC commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno praised the vigilance of the bureau’s frontline personnel at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

“The successful interception of these illegal drugs reflects the bureau’s sustained efforts to monitor inbound mail and prevent criminal syndicates from exploiting postal channels,” Nepomuceno said. “We will continue to strengthen our enforcement actions to protect the public from dangerous substances.”

District collector Yasmin Mapa said the operation highlights the bureau’s commitment to ensuring mail facilities are not used as entry points for prohibited items.

The attempted importation violates the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 and the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act. Authorities are investigating the shipments to identify the senders and intended recipients for potential prosecution.