BOC intercepts P10.15-M marijuana resin, kush

MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Customs (BOC) intercepted shipments from the United States and Thailand containing P10.15 million worth of marijuana resin and high-grade marijuana, the agency reported Tuesday.

The BOC–Port of Clark said it seized four shipments from California and Thailand following derogatory information provided by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).

“All four shipments were flagged based on derogatory information provided by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, prompting Customs authorities to subject them to heightened inspection,” the BOC said in a statement.

Article continues after this advertisement

During the operations, the BOC discovered that two shipments from California, declared as a custom-printed wedding photo and a letter notebook, contained two pouches of suspected marijuana resin weighing 810 grams and 808 grams.

FEATURED STORIES

NEWSINFO

NEWSINFO

NEWSINFO

The substances, bound for Caloocan City and Valenzuela City, had a combined estimated value of P2.427 million.

The other two shipments from Thailand, both declared as used clothing, contained 5,142 grams of suspected high-grade marijuana with an estimated value of P7.723 million.

READ: P6-M worth of marijuana plants destroyed in Agusan del Sur

READ: P8.91-M dried marijuana intercepted in parcels in Pasay mail hub

Article continues after this advertisement

“All four shipments underwent standard Customs clearance procedures, including X-ray scanning and K-9 sniff tests. The tests yielded positive indications for suspected dangerous drugs, prompting Customs authorities to conduct 100% physical examinations,” the BOC said.

It added that initial testing confirmed the presence of cannabinoids, prompting authorities to turn over the substances to the PDEA for confirmatory laboratory examination.

Article continues after this advertisement

Warrants of seizure and detention were issued against the shipments for violating Republic Act No. 10863, or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA), according to the BOC.

“Warrants of Seizure and Detention (WSDs) were issued against the shipments for violations of Sections 118(g), 119(d), and 1113(f), (i), and (l)(3) and (4) of Republic Act No. 10863, or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA), in relation to Republic Act No. 9165, as amended,” the BOC reported.

Customs Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno underscored the importance of strengthening airport enforcement and monitoring to further curb drug smuggling in the country.

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.

Your subscription has been successful.

“Air express shipments are a common target for smugglers. Therefore, it is important to continuously train our Customs officers and strictly monitor air express warehouses to prevent the entry of contraband,” he said in Filipino. /mcm