P30.78 million ketamine seized in Pampanga

MANILA, Philippines — Up to six kilos of ketamine valued at P30.78 million have been seized at the port of Clark in Pampanga, according to the Bureau of Customs.

The BOC said the contraband was stashed in a spool of a power cable that was reportedly shipped from the Netherlands.

The shipment, which was bound for Pasig City, was flagged based on information received by the BOC from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).

An inspection conducted by a PDEA K-9 unit indicated that the package contained an illegal substance, prompting authorities to open the parcel.

Authorities dismantled the spool and found six transparent pouches containing a crystalline substance.

Initial tests confirmed the substance to be ketamine, which is a dangerous drug as provided under Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.