Drug haul disguised as wedding dress seized at Clark; ₱10.696M shabu uncovered

CLARK, Pampanga — What appeared to be a simple wedding dress shipment from Mexico City bound for Mandaluyong City turned out to conceal an estimated ₱10.696 million worth of suspected shabu — hidden not in the garment, but inside the very cardboard walls of its box.

The Bureau of Customs Port of Clark, working with PDEA and the Clark Inter-Agency Task Force Against Illegal Drugs, intercepted the 1.573-kilogram haul on Wednesday after X-ray scans raised suspicion.

Examiners inspected the dress and found nothing — until they noticed the carton felt heavier than it should. Taking it apart, they found four pouches of methamphetamine tucked within the cardboard layers. Initial screening using a spectrometer confirmed the substance was methamphetamine hydrochloride.

"Smugglers are becoming more cunning — at first glance, it looks innocent. We must always look closer and never be complacent,” Customs Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno said in a statement.

“Our officers must remain sharp, thorough, and ready to check beyond what is immediately visible.”

Port of Clark District Collector Jairus S. Reyes likewise emphasized the need for constant vigilance as smuggling methods grow more sophisticated.

He reaffirmed the Port’s commitment to strengthening its inspection capabilities, in line with President's directive to intensify the government’s anti-drug campaign and secure the country’s borders.

Samples have been turned over to PDEA Clark for confirmatory testing. A Warrant of Seizure and Detention has been issued for violations of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act and the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.