BOC leads seizure of P3.966-M worth of high-grade ‘kush’
The Bureau of Customs (BOC), through the Port of Clark Customs Anti-Illegal Drug Task Force (CAIDTF), seized 2.644 kilograms of high-grade marijuana, or “Kush,” with an estimated value of P3,966,000.
The ooperation was conducted in coordination with with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, Philippine National Police—Aviation Security Group (PNP-AVSEG), Department of Justice (DOJ), the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), and local officials from Brgy. Dau, Mabalacat Pampanga.
Prior to its arrival, derogatory information from the PDEA prompted the assigned examiner to conduct a 100% physical examination of the shipment.
The shipment was declared as “Handcrafted Artificial Flower Consisting of Roses, Jasmine, and Cockscomb Flowers,” but during the examination, authorities discovered four (4) vacuum-sealed plastic pouches containing dried leaves and fruiting tops suspected to be high-grade marijuana.
Samples were taken and turned over to the PDEA for chemical analysis, which confirmed the substance as marijuana, classified as a dangerous drug under R.A. No. 9165, as amended.
A Warrant of Seizure and Detention was issued for the shipment for violating Sections 118(g), 119(d), and 1113 paragraphs (f), (i), and (l) (3 and 4) of R.A. No. 10863, also known as the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA), in relation to R.A. No. 9165, as amended.
District Collector Jairus S. Reyes commended the strong partnership between the BOC—Port of Clark and the agencies involved in the operation, emphasizing the critical role of collaboration in safeguarding the nation’s borders.
Under the leadership of Commissioner Bienvenido Y. Rubio, the BOC has been persistent in its campaign against illegal drug smuggling and preventing the proliferation of illegal drugs in communities, which in turn significantly endangers the lives, safety, and well-being of Filipinos.
