Bureau of Customs (BOC) agents seized P38.8 million dried marijuana from Thailand during an operation at the Manila International Container Port (MICP) last week.
BOC Commissioner Bien Rubio said the smuggled shipment was declared as containing plastic tableware, kitchenware, blankets, men’s shoes, and others,
Information reaching the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) however noted that the shipment contained illegal drugs, misdeclared, and undeclared items.
Rubio underscored the bureau’s commitment to President Ferdinand Marcos’ Jr.’s directive of cracking down on the illegal drug trade.
“Even as these smugglers and illegal drug traders try to step up their game, I want to assure our people that the BOC is well-positioned and well-equipped to detect and stop the entry of drugs in our country,” Rubio said.
He said that their multifaceted approach allows the BOC to not only keep up with these new modus, but to ultimately foil all attempts for these products to enter our markets and proliferate in our streets.
The CIIS Field Station at the MICP requested for the 100% physical examination for a shipment consigned to Philippians 4:19 Export and Import Gen. Mdse. last May 10 after receiving derogatory information about the contents of the shipment.
Rubio said CIIS Director Verne Enciso, who was at the helm of the intelligence report that led to the seizure of the drugs, identified the shipment sender as a certain Wilma Bulahagui, with Erickson Bulahagui as the receiver
“Initial x-ray scanning of the shipment last July 31 and August 1 resulted in the detection of suspected dried marijuana inside 78 boxes,” he said. “This was further confirmed during the 100% physical examination last August 2, wherein a total of 99 pieces of heat-sealed packages were found to contain marijuana.”
The breakdown of the marijuana found inside the three boxes was as follows: one large box has 27 pieces of heat-sealed plastic packages; one king-sized box has 40 pieces of heat-sealed plastic packages; and one king-sized box has 32 pieces of heat-sealed plastic packages.
After the inspection, which was witnessed by CIIS, Enforcement and Security Service (ESS), Customs Anti-Illegal Drug Task Force (CAIDTF), Environmental Protection and Compliance Division (EPCD), and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), the suspected items were returned to the container van, which was then sealed and padlocked for safekeeping.
An inventory and sample-taking will be conducted by PDEA for confirmatory testing.
The physical examination of the remaining 75 boxes will continue on Monday, August 5, 2024.
Intelligence Group Deputy Commissioner Juvymax Uy lauded the BOC officers’ “innovative and relentless efforts” to curb the drug smuggling attempts.
“Our agents have done a great job at intercepting this attempt to destroy our communities. There’ll be no kid glove treatment for these individuals. We will prosecute them at the fullest extent of the law. We aim to bring them and their cohorts to justice and stand our ground as we fulfill our mandate,” he said.
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline: “BOC foils P38.8-million marijuana smuggling attempt”
