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The Bureau of Customs intercepted five balikbayan boxes with 82 kilos of kush and marijuana-laced vapes worth P102 million at the Manila International Container Port
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The contrabands were discovered during a physical examination of balikbayan boxes from Thailand on April 2
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The consignees, senders, and recipients of the intercepted balikbayan boxes may face charges for violations of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act and anti-drugs law
The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has intercepted five balikbayan boxes containing 82 kilos of kush and marijuana-laced vapes worth P102 million at the Manila International Container Port (MICP).
The contrabands were discovered during a physical examination of several balikbayan boxes from Thailand on April 2, the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) said.
The examination was done following an alert order issued on Feb. 28 after receiving derogatory information regarding the shipment consigned to a forwarder company and a male recipient, according to CIIS director Verne Enciso.
Out of 200 inspected balikbayan boxes, five were found to contain 82 kg. of kush and 1,881 disposable marijuana-laced vapes, detected by a narcotic detection dog from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).
Detailed inspection of the boxes revealed various quantities of kush and vape products concealed within.
Subsequently, the items were returned to the container van, which was sealed and padlocked for safekeeping, pending turnover to the PDEA after a full inventory.
The consignees, senders, and recipients of the confiscated balikbayan boxes may face charges for violations of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA) and Republic Act (RA) No. 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002).
In a separate incident, Customs officers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (BOC-NAIA) intercepted unclaimed parcels at the Central Mail Exchange Center containing over 3 kg. of illegal drugs in Pasay City, district collector Yasmin Mapa said in a statement.
The parcels were declared as various items such as hardware and personal effects with an estimated value of P14.8 million, and arrived from Wilmington, California, on Jan. 19.
The inspection revealed 2.4 kg. of cocaine concealed inside black bolts wrapped in one parcel, with an estimated value of P12.9 million. Additionally, six other parcels declared as personal items were found to contain 1.3 kg. of marijuana, valued at P1.8 million.
Consignees of the intercepted shipments, whose identities were withheld, are subject to charges under RA 9165 and the CMTA.
