THE Bureau of Customs’ (BOC) intensified drive against illegal drugs has resulted in another seizure of dried marijuana or kush and e-vapes concealed in balikbayan boxes worth P337 million at the Port of Manila.
The foiled attempt to smuggle the contraband was the second biggest interception of high grade marijuana by the bureau in just two days.
The other day, the BOC agents seized some P238.2 million worth of kush inside several balikbayan boxes from Thailand at the Manila International Container Port (MICP).
In a statement, BOC-Port of Manila acting district collector Rizalino Jose Torralba said the intercepted kush and e-vapes were estimated at P337.73 million .
The shipment underwent initial verification and K-9 inspection based on X-ray images.
Following the K-9 inspection, the balikbayan boxes proceeded through Mobile X-Ray Rapiscan for further scrutiny.
Subsequently, the boxes were segregated and tagged for a comprehensive physical examination.
Representatives from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) K-9 Unit, POM-XIP, CAIDTF, ESS, CIIS, and the consignee were present to witness the physical examination.
Both the BOC and PDEA agents collected samples for chemical laboratory analysis and assisted in the inventory of illicit substances.
Upon inspection, the 18 balikbayan boxes contained 122 packs or 132,100 grams of marijuana (kush) valued at P158,520,000, 13 boxes were found to have 344 packs of marijuana, weighing 147,007 grams, with an estimated value of PhP176,408,400.
Also found in the balikbayan boxes were three packs of dried mushrooms containing Psilocybin, valued at P312,592 for 560 grams, and 2,234 grams of cannabis oil concealed in 1,117 pieces of e-cigarettes, with an estimated value of P2,494,037.60.
Both the forwarder and the owner of the boxes are currently under investigation for alleged breaches of Republic Act (RA) No. 9165, the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, and RA 10863 Section 118, which pertains to the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act.
Torralba assured the public that POM remains vigilant in monitoring and preventing the entry of illegal drugs into the country.
“We are dedicated to preventing smugglers from resorting to such tactics in the future. Safeguarding the integrity of balikbayan boxes, which hold significant meaning for us Filipinos, is crucial. Utilizing this tradition as a smuggling method is completely unacceptable, and we are committed to ensuring that such actions are thwarted,” BOC chief Bienvenido Rubio said.