GOVERNMENT agents detailed at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport have apprehended two persons who claiming a shipment from the United States that was found to contain kush and vapes infused with liquid cannabis (marijuana) at the Central Mail Exchange Center (CMEC) in Pasay City.
The composite team consisting of operatives of the Bureau of Customs (BOC), the Philippine National Police – Aviation Security Group (PNP-Avsegroup), the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), and the NAIA Interagency Drug Interdiction Task Group (NAIA-IADITG) executed the operation on Monday, Jan. 26.
The claimants, a 33-year-old Filipino and a 56-year-old American, were taken into police custody.
Prior to the arrest, Customs officials flagged the parcels during a routine X-ray examination due to the detection of suspicious images. The parcels were promptly marked and referred to the law enforcement agencies.
A K-9 inspection was subsequently carried out by the PDEA, during which a narcotics detection dog confirmed the presence of illegal substances.
This was followed by a manual inspection conducted by Customs personnel, leading to the discovery of suspected marijuana-infused products hidden within commercially packaged candies and vape-related items.
The shipment was falsely declared as assorted candies, chocolates, tea samples, and vape products, a clear case of technical smuggling.
“This operation demonstrates our firm vigilance and strong inter-agency coordination in preventing illegal drugs from entering the country through mail and cargo channels,” said Avsegroup director Brig. Gen. Dionisio Bartolome.
