MANILA – The Philippine National Police (PNP) intercepted 40 inbound parcels containing dried leaves at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) suspected to be marijuana, with an estimated value of P14,833,000, the agency said.
PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. hailed the interdiction and framed it as part of ongoing efforts to prevent illegal drugs from reaching communities.
Key facts, as stated by police:
- Interdicted items: 40 inbound parcels
- Contents: dried leaves suspected to be marijuana
- Location: NAIA, Metro Manila
- Estimated value: P14,833,000
- Source of information: PNP statement and the PNP chief’s remarks
This screengrab image shows authorities inspecting seized parcels containing marijuana. FACEBOOK/ PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE
Seizure at Manila’s main airport
NAIA, the country’s primary international gateway, handles thousands of inbound parcels and cargo shipments daily under joint security and customs controls. The PNP said the 40 intercepted parcels were flagged during routine screening and subjected to closer inspection, where the contents were found to be dried leaves believed to be marijuana.
As of press time, police had not disclosed the parcels’ country of origin, the courier service involved, or the identities of any intended recipients, citing ongoing follow-up operations. The seized material remains classified as “suspected” marijuana pending laboratory examination and chemical analysis, which will determine the final charges to be pursued.
Police leadership statement
“This operation demonstrates the PNP’s unyielding resolve to safeguard our communities,” Gen. Nartatez said, adding that drug interdiction at ports of entry remains a priority under the PNP’s anti-illegal drugs campaign.
“Every parcel we stop, every illegal substance we intercept, is a step toward a safer Philippines. Drugs have no space in our country and we assure the public that the guilty will be accountable.”
The PNP chief directed the police Drug Enforcement Group and aviation security units to coordinate closely with the Bureau of Customs and other airport authorities to trace the shipment’s network and determine whether it is linked to larger trafficking routes that use commercial parcel systems.
Legal context in the Philippines
Cannabis remains prohibited for recreational use under Philippine law. Marijuana is listed as a dangerous drug under the country’s Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, which criminalizes the importation, sale, distribution, and possession of such substances and empowers the PNP, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, and other bodies to enforce anti-drug statutes nationwide.
Interdictions at ports of entry typically trigger formal evidence-handling and documentation protocols, including inventory, forensic testing, and the preparation of inquest materials for prosecutors. Authorities said the seized leaves, valued by police at P14,833,000 based on standard “street value” estimates used in anti-drug operations, will undergo further examination as part of case build-up.
The incident is the latest in a series of airport-based seizures that have prompted calls for tighter screening of cargo and parcel shipments and for more transparent reporting on the outcomes of drug cases, including prosecutions and convictions. NAIA’s role as a major hub for both passengers and freight has made it a recurring focus of law-enforcement and policy discussions on how illegal drugs enter the country.
