CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – Authorities foiled a smuggling attempt of illegal drugs following the interception of a parcel containing over five kilograms of ketamine worth₱25,310,000 during an airport interdiction operation at a warehouse in Clark Freeport on July 30.
Seized was a parcel declared as a “Data Cable Roll” shipped from Lier, Belgium, consigned to an individual in Rodriguez, Rizal. Upon inspection, the parcel was found to contain six transparent plastic pouches of white crystalline substance, later identified as ketamine, a regulated and highly abused party drug.
No individuals were arrested during the operation. A violation of Section 4, Article II (Importation of Dangerous Drugs) of RA 9165 has been filed, and representative samples have been sent to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency regional laboratory for confirmatory testing.
The seized ketamine is estimated to have a standard drug price of over P25 million, and the investigation is ongoing to trace the origin and intended recipients of the parcel.
The operation was spearheaded by the PDEA Region III Clark International Airport Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group, with the support of several joint units, including the Police Regional Office 3, PDEA-Pampanga Office, Bureau of Customs-Port of Clark, NBI Pampanga, PNP Aviation Security Unit 3, PNP Drug Enforcement Group, and Mabalacat City Police Station.
In a statement, PRO-3 director BGen. Ponce Rogelio Peñones Jr. commended the seamless coordination among the involved agencies.
“This successful interdiction highlights the impact of strong inter-agency collaboration. By working together—PDEA, BOC, NBI, and the PNP—we are sending a clear message that Central Luzon remains vigilant in securing our ports of entry against illegal drugs.”
“We remain fully committed to our strategic direction to protect the people, pursue peace and order, and promote professionalism, guided by the 3 Pillars of PNP chief Gen. Nicolas D. Torre III, namely, Swift and Responsive Public Service, Unity and Morale within the Ranks, and Accountability and Modernization,” he added. “We thank our partners for their unwavering dedication to this shared mission.”
PRO3-PR
