NEWS

Laos-to-Manila drug route exposed; P1.3-B shabu seized

Jing Villamente · Nov 4, 2026, 10:05 PM

PERSONNEL from the Bureau of Customs and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency inspect stacks of cardboard boxes containing around 200 kilograms of suspected shabu worth P1.36 billion inside a 40-foot shipping container at the Manila International Container Port in Tondo on Wednesday. — Photograph by Zedrich Xylak Madrid for DAILY TRIBUNE

Joint operatives of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), Bureau of Customs (BoC) and Philippine National Police (PNP) seized approximately 200 kilograms of methamphetamine hydrochloride, or shabu, worth P1.36 billion at North Harbor, Manila.

The illegal drugs, concealed in 200 vacuum-sealed plastic bags packed in 50 cardboard boxes, originated from Laos.

The seizure came weeks after Laotian authorities intercepted 521 kilograms of suspected shabu aboard a private Learjet at Luang Prabang International Airport on 1 October. The aircraft had flown from Subang, Malaysia, to Laos without cargo. The drugs were allegedly loaded after its arrival and were reportedly intended for shipment to Manila.

Malaysian and Philippine authorities subsequently launched a joint investigation into the Laos seizure, uncovering an alleged transnational drug syndicate using private aircraft and international shipping routes to smuggle illegal drugs into the Philippines.

PDEA director general Undersecretary Isagani Nerez said the latest operation underscored the importance of intelligence-sharing and coordination with foreign counterparts.

“This significant seizure demonstrates the importance of intelligence-sharing and close coordination with our international counterparts. Following the shabu seizure in Laos, this operation further highlights the need for stronger regional cooperation to prevent drug syndicates from exploiting international shipping routes to bring illegal drugs into our country,” Nerez said during a press conference.

Nerez said PDEA received intelligence from foreign counterparts in September 2026 about a suspected drug shipment bound for the Philippines.

The container arrived at Manila North Harbor on 6 October and underwent X-ray examination, K9 inspection and Raman spectrometer testing eight days later. The examinations yielded positive results for shabu.

After the prescribed period passed without anyone claiming the shipment, authorities initiated abandonment proceedings and subsequently opened the cargo, leading to the discovery and seizure of the illegal drugs.

PDEA is conducting backtracking investigations to identify the shipment’s consignee and the individuals behind the operation for possible prosecution under Section 4 (Importation of Dangerous Drugs), Article II of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.