The Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service-Manila International Container Port (CIIS-MICP) seized P37 million worth of marijuana or dried “kush” at the Manila port.
Customs Commissioner Bien Rubio said that a 100 percent physical examination and small baggage x-ray scanning of the shipment showed six boxes with 30.9 kilograms of the suspected dried marijuana.
“We have been receiving reports about shipments containing marijuana crossing our borders and our officers have exemplified commitment and dedication in exercising vigilance against these types of activities. This latest operation shows the relentlessness and the audacity of these criminals in thinking they can get away with smuggling this huge amount of illicit drugs,” he said.
The CIIS-MICP requested a physical examination of the shipment after profiling and receiving derogatory information that the balikbayan boxes contained illegal drugs from Thailand.
CIIS Director Verne Enciso detailed that the boxes contained marijuana in various weights: the first box had two pouches with 200 grams each and nine pouches with 500 grams each, while the second box had 10 pouches with 500 grams each.
The third box has 10 pouches in varying weights: 530 grams, 460 grams, 666 grams, 549 grams, 461 grams, 1,013 grams, 750 grams, 263 grams, 494 grams, and 526 grams; the fourth box has 10 pouches with 500 grams each and one pouch with 340 grams; and the fifth box has 10 pouches with 500 grams each.
Enciso furthered that the sixth box has 10 pouches with 500 grams each, broken down into five Alaskan igloo kush, two Hawali gold, two Blue Mountain fire, and one Cherry haze. Joel Zurbano
“There’s an intensified effort from these unscrupulous individuals to bring these illegal drugs into the country. We have seen in the past months how they tried to hide these in balikbayan boxes and the like. Fortunately, our frontline officers continue to employ an effective combination of enforcement-mindedness and technology that led to this significant seizure,” the official said.
The shipment was examined at the Designated Examination Area (DEA) of the MICP by the assigned Customs examiner, and witnessed by the CIIS, Enforcement and Security Service (ESS), Customs Anti-Illegal Drug Task Force (CAIDTF), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Environmental Protection and Compliance Division (EPCD), and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).
Deputy Commissioner for Intelligence Group Juvymax Uy said that the marking of the seized goods is ongoing at the premise.
The consignees, senders, and recipients of the balikbayan boxes will possibly face charges in violation of Section 118 (prohibited importation and exportation) and Section 1400 (misdeclaration) in goods declaration in relation to Section 1113 (property subject to seizure and forfeiture) of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA) and Republic Act No. 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002).