Authorities arrested a 37-year-old American national after he claimed an international parcel containing more than P10 million worth of suspected illegal drugs intercepted at the Central Mail Exchange Center (CMEC) in Pasay City, the Philippine National Police Aviation Security Group (PNP-AVSEGROUP) said.

The arrest was carried out on June 30 by members of the NAIA Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group (IADITG) after the suspect claimed a shipment that had arrived from Canada.

According to authorities, the parcel had been declared as containing assorted food items, personal effects, clothing, candies, cereals and other household goods.

The shipment underwent routine X-ray screening and manual inspection by personnel of the Bureau of Customs before being subjected to K-9 examination by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), which yielded a positive indication for the possible presence of illegal drugs.

A subsequent physical inspection led to the discovery of about 2,385 grams of black crystalline substance believed to be Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), commonly known as Ecstasy, with an estimated standard drug price of ₱10,136,250.

Authorities also recovered 942 pink tablets suspected to be dangerous drugs concealed among the parcel's contents.

The suspect was arrested after claiming the package and was informed of his constitutional rights.

The seized drugs and other evidence were turned over to the NAIA Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group for proper disposition.

The case has been referred to the National Bureau of Investigation for further investigation and the filing of appropriate charges for alleged violation of Republic Act No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.