The Philippine government tightened security measures and inspections on all shipments arriving from Laos following the interception of P1.3 billion worth of illegal drugs at the Manila International Container Port (MICP).

Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla said authorities will closely inspect incoming cargoes from Laos to verify whether illegal drugs are being concealed among the shipments, RH Edniel Parrosa reported.

“Ngayon, ifa-flag na namin lahat ng shipments galing Laos, ifa-flag namin kung may drugs talaga kasi ginagawa nila, tinatago nila kapag papunta rito,” Remulla said, adding that the discovery of illegal drugs inside cardboard packaging was something he had not encountered before.

The move comes after authorities seized a shipment containing over 500 kilograms of suspected shabu, with an estimated street value of P1.3 billion, at the MICP.

During the same interview, Remulla also questioned why similar shipments had allegedly gone undetected under the previous administration. The DILG chief pointed out that authorities have seized nearly one ton of illegal drugs through the country’s ports over the past four years.

“In the last four years, if I’m not mistaken, almost one ton ang nahuli through our ports. Bakit yung last six years before 2022 walang nahuli ni isa?” Remulla asked.

Moreover, Remulla emphasized the reported increase in the price of shabu to P6,800 per gram, compared to around P3,800 per gram between 2019 and 2022.

He explained that the higher price indicates a possible decline in the supply of illegal drugs in the country.