BUREAU of Customs (BOC) operatives intercepted over the weekend P27 million worth of illegal drugs inside a hotdog roller machine in an interdiction operation conducted at a warehouse in Pasay City.
Customs Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno on Sunday said the operation, conducted in coordination with the NAIA Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group, resulted in the discovery of a parcel, hidden inside a hotdog roller machine, which was found to contain 3,962 grams of white crystalline substance suspected to be methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu, valued at P26,941,600.
"The shipment was described as a hot dog roller machine. But upon physical examination, four heat-sealed transparent plastic bags wrapped in aluminum foil containing a white crystalline substance suspected to be 'shabu' were found concealed in it," Nepomuceno said.
Nepomuceno added that a series of successful drug interdiction operations conducted by Customs operatives was in line with the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to stop the entry of illicit goods into the country.
He commended NAIA District Collector Yasmin Obillos-Mapa and Special Deputy Collector Dr. Siegfried Manaois for exceptional dedication in monitoring and enforcement cooperation, in coordination with partner agencies.
Nepomuceno also led the inspection of P235 million worth of smuggled cigarettes from the United Arab Emirates bound for the Port of Batangas.
From January 1 to March 6, 2026, the bureau recorded 127 cigarette-related interdictions, resulting in the seizure of approximately P2 billion worth of contraband nationwide.
As part of its intensified enforcement efforts, the BOC chief said the agency continues to strengthen coordination among law enforcement agencies under a whole-of-government approach to combating illicit tobacco trade.
"Central to these efforts is strengthened intelligence gathering by the bureau, which led to the discovery of 637 master cases of cigarettes during the operation," he said.
