Contributed photo
CLARK FREEPORT – Kush worth some P1.1 million concealed in coffee packs was intercepted by personnel of the Bureau of Customs-Port of Clark and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in transit at the Clark International Airport.
Kush, a strain of the cannabis plant, is a common reference for high-grade marijuana.
BOC-Clark district collector Ruby Alameda said the parcel was declared as “clothing and coffee” and consigned to one Rowena Diaz David of KKK Gasoline situated at Sitio Urguico, Barangay Matatalahib, Tarlac City.
Alameda said the suspicions of field examiners were aroused by the aroma of coffee through the parcel which prompted them to check.
“It is very surprising that you can smell the aroma of coffee in a pack that is vacuum–sealed. When we checked the parcel, we found a pair of men’s clothing three packs of coffee beans and used bag. The kush was stuffed in three coffee bean packs,” Alameda told reporters during the turn–over of the contraband to PDEA representatives on Friday.
PDEA–Pampanga director Joseph Samson said the seized illegal drugs approximately weighing 990 grams valued at P1.1 million under the Dangerous Drugs Board estimate, was shipped from the United States.
He said that controlled delivery was launched against the consignee but failed to find the address and theperson.
In another drug bust, five kilos of dried marijuana leaves were seized by PDEA–Pampanga in an operation at Barangay Malhacan, Meycauayan City on Thursday. Five suspects were also arrested.
PDEA Central Luzon director Christian O. Frivaldo identified the suspects as Christian San Diego, 34, of Barangay Duhat, Bocaue, Bulacan; Nikki John Tablante, 32, of No. 16 St. Anthony St., Sto. Niño, Meycauyan City; Lhordan Cabat, 31, of Barangay Sto. Rosario, Malolos City; John Maurice Clemente, 23, of Barangay San Vicente Paombong, Bulacan; and Adler Labiano, 32, of No. 76 Exodus St., Phase 3D Barangay Perez, Meycauyan City.
Seized from the suspects were 5.5 kilos of dried marijuana leaves worth P660,000; five plastic–potted marijuana plants; dried marijuana leaves, seed and stalks in four wrappings; two Alicafe coffee boxes containing aluminum foil and cling wrap dried marijuana leaves, seeds and stalks; and the dusted money used in the buy–bust.
PDEA agents also impounded two motorcycles and a Nissan Urvan believed used to transport the illegal items.
The suspects were brought to PDEA provincial office for further investigation as charges for violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act are readied against them. With BOC-Clark/PDEA PR
