The Bureau of Customs (BOC) seized more than P3.7 million worth of high-grade marijuana (kush) and arrested its claimant in Subic Bay Freeport Zone.
The BOC, with the help of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), discovered the illegal drugs in a shipment from Quebec, Canada, said to contain “window curtains, cotton.”
The shipment was subjected to usual K9 sniffing and x-ray scanning procedures and was immediately subjected to physical examination based on information received from the PDEA.
The physical examination resulted in the discovery of five packs of dried leaves and stems weighing 2,336 grams, suspected to be Marijuana. Vito Barcelo
“Samples were then taken and turned over to PDEA for chemical laboratory analysis, confirming the presence of Tetrahydrocannabinol/Marijuana, a dangerous drug under the Republic Act (R.A.) No. 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002,” the Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio said.
Joint elements of Port of Clark, Port of Subic, and PDEA conducted a controlled delivery operation to the consignee’s address in Subic Bay Freeport Zone, Zambales, which led to the arrest of one claimant.
The identity of the claimant was withheld pending investigation.
The BOC will file a criminal case against the apprehended claimant for violation of R.A. 9165.
“As directed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the Bureau of Customs remains committed in protecting our borders against the entry of illegal drugs and continues to enhance its anti-smuggling capabilities,” Rubio said.