P99.4M worth of ketamine seized in Clark

Authorities seized 19.89 kilograms worth P99.4 million declared as roasted coffee beans and sodium bicarbonate cleaning powder during a physical examination on two shipments at the Port of Clark on 22 October 2026.

In a belated report on 3 November 2026, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) Port of Clark and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) conducted a physical examination as part of their mandate of preventing entry of illegal drugs in the country.

According to the PDEA Airport Interdiction Unit, both of the shipments underwent investigation, with one of the shipments coming from Switzerland. The said shipment has a weight of 9,882 grams and was declared as roasted coffee beans and coffee machine bound for Mandaluyong City.

The second shipment came from Amsterdam, with a weight of 10,007 grams and was declared as sodium bicarbonate cleaning powder bound for Montalban, Rizal.

The two shipments were seized on 22 October 2026, after authorities found suspected illegal drugs. A laboratory analysis by the PDEA confirmed that the items were positive for ketamine. Ketamine is a dangerous drug listed in the Republic Act No. 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, as amended.

District Collector Jairus S. Reyes emphasized the need to further safeguard the entry points of the country as more and more parcel will enter the Philippines this holiday season.

“Inaasahan nating dadami ang mga parcel na darating sa pamamagitan ng air express carriers. Kaya mas paiigtingin natin ang pagsusuri sa mga dokumento at pisikal na inspeksyon, gayundin ang pagtiyak na maayos at gumagana ang ating mga X-ray machine,” he said.