In a major crackdown on wildlife trafficking, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) intercepted three outbound parcels containing agarwood — a highly valuable and regulated forest product — with an estimated street value of P9.3 million.

The operation, conducted in coordination with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), took place on September 10 at a warehouse facility in Pasay City. The shipments were falsely declared as dried ‘alingatong’ wood chips, but x-ray scans revealed suspicious contents, prompting a full physical inspection.

Inspectors uncovered a total of 12.42 kilograms of agarwood, split across three packages weighing 3.80 kg, 4.10 kg, and 4.52 kg respectively. The misdeclaration violated multiple environmental and customs laws, including the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (RA 10863), the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act (RA 9147), and the Revised Forestry Code (PD 705).

The seized parcels are now under the custody of BOC-NAIA, with DENR overseeing further legal and environmental action.

BOC Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno hailed the interception as a win for biodiversity protection. “This operation underscores our unwavering commitment to defending the country’s natural resources and stopping the illegal trade of endangered species,” he said.

District Collector Alexandra Y. Lumontad echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the importance of vigilance at international gateways. “With strict cargo monitoring and strong inter-agency coordination, we ensure that NAIA is not used as a conduit for trafficking illicit forest products,” she stated.

Agarwood, prized for its aromatic resin and often used in perfumes and traditional medicine, is considered endangered and tightly regulated under Philippine and international conservation laws.

This successful interdiction reflects the Marcos administration’s push for stronger border protection and environmental enforcement, reinforcing the role of BOC-NAIA as a frontline defender of the country’s ecological heritage.