Clark Freeport—Some P1.1 million worth of high-grade and processed marijuana leaves commonly known as “Kush” was intercepted by personnel of the Bureau of Customs Port of Clark and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency while in transit to the Clark International Airport, authorities said Friday.
Port of Clark District Collector lawyer Ruby Alameda said the parcel was declared as clothing and coffee and was consigned to a certain Rowena Diaz David of KKK Gasoline, located at sitio Urguico, Barangay Matatalahib, Tarlac City.
Alameda said Customs examiners on the field found the parcel suspicious when they smelled the aroma of coffee that prompted them to profile the parcel and check its content.
“It is very surprising that you can smell the aroma of coffee when it is vacuum sealed. When we checked the parcel, we found a pair of men’s clothing, three packs of coffee beans, and a used bag. The cannabis was stuffed in the coffee packs, Alameda told reporters during the turnover of the drugs to PDEA representatives.
PDEA Pampanga provincial director Joseph Samson said the Kush weighed about 990 grams, valued at P1.1 million under the Dangerous Drugs Board’s estimates, and was shipped from United States.
Controlled delivery was launched against the consignee, but agents failed to find the address or the addressee.
Meanwhile, PDEA Pampanga agents confiscated 5 kilos of dried marijuana leaves following a drug bust at Barangay Malhacan, Meycauayan City on Thursday. Five suspects were arrested.
PDEA3 Regional Director Christian O. Frivaldo identified the suspects as Christian San Diego, 34, of Brgy. Duhat, Bocaue, Bulacan; Nikki John Tablante, 32, of 16 Saint Anthony St. Sto. Niño, Meycauayan City; Lhordan Cabat, 31, of Bgy. Sto. Rosario, Malolos City; John Maurice Clemente, 23, of Bgy. San Vicente, Paombong, Bulacan; and Adler Labiano, 32, of 76 Exodus St., Phase 3D, Brgy. Perez, Meycauayan City.
Seized from the suspects was 5.5 kilos of dried marijuana leaves worth P660,000, five plastic plotted marijuana plants; four plain wrapped and dried marijuana leaves, seed and stalks; two black coffee boxes containing aluminum foil and cling-wrap dried marijuana leaves, seeds and stalks; and dusted money used in the buy bust.
PDEA agents also placed under their custody the vehicles believed used to transport the illegal items, including two motorcycles and a Nissan Urvan.
The suspects were brought to the PDEA provincial office for further investigation with charges of violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act readied against them.