THE Bureau of Customs (BOC) has intercepted a shipment of high-grade dried marijuana worth nearly P800,000 at the Port of Clark in Pampanga.
The seizure of the package was conducted in coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), according to Customs commissioner Bienvenido Rubio.
“The shipment, which arrived on October 11, 2024, was declared as two pieces of garments. However, the BOC X-ray Inspection Project (XIP) flagged it for physical examination after suspicious images were detected,” Rubio said.
Further investigation discovered a pouch containing dried leaves and fruiting tops suspected to be high-grade marijuana, also called “kush” worth P729,000.
Samples were taken and submitted to the PDEA for chemical analysis, confirming the substance as marijuana, classified as a dangerous drug under R.A. No. 9165.
Customs acting district collector Jairus Reyes lauded the BOC agents for their steadfast dedication in combating drug smuggling, emphasizing that their vigilance plays a crucial role in protecting the nation from the dangers of illegal substances and upholding the BOC’s mission of safeguarding the country.
