Ketamine Worth PHP 20.7 Million Disguised as 'Ceramic Fan' Intercepted at Clark Port — Cargo Originating from Amsterdam

📌 On Tuesday, October 6, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) Port of Clark announced that it intercepted approximately 4 kg of suspected ketamine with an estimated street value of PHP 20.7 million hidden inside a shipment from Amsterdam, Netherlands, in coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA). The shipment was declared as a 'compact ceramic fan' and was consigned to Valenzuela City, Metro Manila. The interception was first reported on Friday, October 2.

■ Incident Details
· The shipment, originating from Amsterdam and bound for Valenzuela City, arrived at Clark Port declared as a 'Compact Ceramic Fan'.
· During routine clearance procedures, X-ray Inspection Project (XIP) scanning revealed suspicious images, prompting a physical inspection that yielded white crystalline substances packed in 7 transparent plastic sachets.
· Initial tests using a Raman spectrometer yielded positive results for ketamine, commonly known as 'Special K'.

■ Investigation and Current Status
· The reported weight varies across reports—the initial report on October 2 stated approximately 4,410g, while the BOC announcement on October 6 stated approximately 4,140g. Both reports estimated the street value at around PHP 20.7 million.
· Samples have been sent to the PDEA laboratory for chemical analysis.
· The operation was conducted jointly by the BOC Port of Clark, PDEA, the Clark Inter-Agency Anti-Illegal Drug Task Force (CRK-IATFAID), the BOC Customs Anti-Illegal Drug Task Force, and the Intelligence and Investigation Service. No arrests have been reported yet.
· District Collector Jairus S. Reyes of the Port of Clark commended the vigilance of the personnel and inter-agency cooperation.

■ Notice to Residents and Travelers
· Cargo arriving at Clark Port undergoes X-ray screening. Shipments containing items different from what was declared are immediately subjected to physical inspection.
· Refuse requests from strangers or online acquaintances asking you to receive international packages under your name and address. Shipments containing drugs can make the recipient the subject of a criminal investigation.
· If you receive a notification regarding the arrival of an international shipment you did not order, do not accept it and verify with customs.

■ Sources
The Voice Newsweekly (10/2, 10/6), SunStar (10/6), Bureau of Customs Philippines (10/6)