MANILA — The Bureau of Customs–Ninoy Aquino International Airport (BOC-NAIA) has seized 14 abandoned parcels containing illegal drugs with an estimated value of PHP56.01 million.

In a report, the bureau said the intercepted shipments contained suspected shabu, “kush,” vape cartridges with liquid marijuana, and opium poppy.

BOC deputy chief of staff Chris Bendijo said the illegal substances were concealed in various everyday items to evade detection.

“Sa case na ito, yung hinihinalang shabu ay tinago nila sa mga water filter. Yung kush ay isinilid sa speaker system. Yung poppy naman ay tinago nila, parang nakasukbit doon sa mga decorative flowers,” Bendijo said in “Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon.”

(In this case, the suspected shabu was hidden inside water filters. The kush was placed inside a speaker system. The poppy was tucked into decorative flowers.)

The parcels reportedly originated from Thailand, the United Kingdom, India, France, and the United States.

Authorities said they believe a drug syndicate may be behind the shipments, noting that the group is believed to be operating within the ASEAN region.

“Sa aming palagay ay talagang may sindikato behind it. Itong sindikato na ito ay nago-operate sa ASEAN region,” Bendijo said.

(In our view, there is really a syndicate behind it. This syndicate operates within the ASEAN region.)

The BOC also noted that recent drug interceptions involved concealment in various items, including Bibles, as smugglers continue testing airport security systems.

“Siguro ito ay pagte-testing rin sa ating mga infrastructure, sa ating mga equipment kung ito ay made-detect talaga,” Bendijo said.

(Perhaps this is also their way of testing our infrastructure and equipment to see if these can really be detected.)