Philippine Authorities Seize $5 Million Methamphetamine Shipment from Afghanistan
Philippine customs and anti-narcotics officials announced the seizure of a large methamphetamine shipment valued at approximately $5 million at Manila's international port. The shipment originated from Afghanistan and was declared as marble in customs documents.
The consignment consisted of 131 packages totaling about 41 kilograms. Officials stated the drugs were professionally concealed in hidden compartments of metal containers, including steel sections and concealed walls. Real marble was also present in the shipment.
The head of the Philippine Customs Service said at a press conference that authorities had never encountered this smuggling method before. The anti-narcotics agency chief noted that the substance is known locally as "Afghan meth" and emphasized that this was not the first seizure of drugs originating from Afghanistan.
In response, the Customs Service announced plans to acquire advanced AI-enabled X-ray scanners to better detect organic and chemical substances.
No arrests or further details on the shipment's route or suspects were mentioned in the reports.
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