As part of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) strengthened anti-illegal drug campaign, BOC-Ninoy Aquino International Airport (BOC-NAIA) with Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and NAIA Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group (NAIA-IADITG), intercepted a Balikbayan Box shipment of Kush (high grade marijuana) with an estimated street value of P16.8 million at Pair Cargo Warehouse in Pasay City.
The composite team also apprehended its consignee during a joint controlled delivery operations on February 11, 2023, in Antipolo, Rizal.
The subject parcel arrived in Port of NAIA through Balikbayan Box and declared as Personal Effects from California, USA. However, upon x-ray screening and physical Customs examination, the parcel was discovered to contain 12,000 grams of dried leaves.
PDEA laboratory testing revealed that the substance was high grade marijuana also known as Kush, a dangerous drug as per RA 9165 also known as the Anti-illegal Drugs Act.
The arrested claimant is currently undergoing custodial investigation of PDEA for initiation of corresponding inquest proceedings for the violation of RA 9165 and RA 10863 also known as the Customs Modernization Act (CMTA).
BOC-NAIA, under the new leadership of Commissioner Bienvenido Y. Rubio, remains committed in protecting the country against entry of illegal goods and will further intensify vigilance and dedication to prevent smuggling attempts in the borders, aligned with the directives of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.
The Port, led by District Collector Carmelita M. Talusan, will continue to be vigilant in border protection efforts, meeting revenue targets and balance with trade facilitation. (Philip Reyes)
