Nearly half a billion pesos worth of illegal narcotics have been intercepted at the country’s main gateway since the beginning of the year, prompting authorities to call attention to syndicates that exploit Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) as unwitting couriers.
Data from the Bureau of Customs (BOC) showed that seizures at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) have already reached ₱479 million in 2026. The confiscated contraband includes shabu, marijuana, and ecstasy, among other prohibited substances.
Customs officials said traffickers have been employing deceptive recruitment tactics to lure Filipinos into becoming drug mules. In some cases, individuals are promised employment abroad, such as domestic work, only to later discover their luggage has been tampered with. Another method involves offering free travel or fully sponsored trips, with baggage used to conceal narcotics without the traveler’s knowledge.
BOC Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno said the agency remains firm in its mandate to guard the country’s borders against the entry of illegal drugs and is reinforcing inspection and monitoring systems at ports and airports.
“Kinikilala natin na ang kapakanan ng mga OFW ay pangunahing saklaw ng DMW, at nakikipagtulungan tayo nang malapit sa kanila upang matiyak na hindi magagamit ang ating mga kababayan sa anumang iligal na gawain. Sa panig ng Bureau of Customs, paiigtingin natin ang pagbabantay sa ating mga paliparan at pantalan upang hadlangan ang pagpasok ng ilegal na droga at masiguro na may mananagot sa likod ng mga operasyong ito,” Nepomuceno said.
He underscored the need to shield Filipino workers from criminal groups that prey on those seeking opportunities abroad to support their families. The BOC is working closely with the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) to intensify information campaigns and ensure departing workers are briefed about common trafficking schemes.
Nepomuceno also urged OFWs to verify their recruiters and employers through the DMW before accepting overseas job offers.
“Mahalaga ring personal na inimpake at nabantayan ang kanilang mga bagahe at huwag tatanggap o magdadala ng anumang pakete mula sa ibang tao kung hindi tiyak ang laman at pinagmulan nito,” he stressed.
At NAIA, District Collector Atty. Yasmin Mapa credited the strengthened collaboration with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the NAIA Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group (NAIA-IADITG) for the recent haul of seized drugs. She also cited the role of entry processing division chief Dr. Mark Jhon Almase and BOC-NAIA deputy collector for passenger services Karen Go in reinforcing airport controls, including scrutiny of air cargo and courier shipments.
