Officials of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) seized some P1.5 million worth of “shabu” or methamphetamine hydrochloride at a warehouse in Ninoy Aquino International Airport on Tuesday.

The illegal drugs, which weigh about 197 grams, were placed in three separate parcels bound for United Kingdom, Italy, and Saudi Arabia.

Customs Deputy Commissioner for Enforcement Group Ariel Nepomuceno said the parcels containing shabu were found concealed inside diapers, rice cookers, and in between wooden frames.

Nepomuceno did not disclose the identities of the parcels’ senders and recipients so as not to jeopardize follow-up operations.

“We are doubling our efforts in monitoring packages arriving and leaving the country as drug traffickers are trying to use all means for their illegal drug trade,” BOC-NAIA district collector Edgar Macabeo said.

“The bureau will never allow drug trafficking syndicates to use the Philippines especially the NAIA as a transhipment point for their illegal drugs. Customs will always be on the lookout for illegal drugs and smuggling attempts. We will not hesitate to prosecute those involved,” he added.

The seized illegal drugs were turned over to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.