CLARK FREEPORT – Four shipments containing marijuana resin and high-grade marijuana or kush worth P10.15 million have been seized by the Bureau of Customs- Port of Clark, in coordination with the Clark Inter-Agency Task Force Against Illegal Drugs.
The shipments were flagged based on derogatory information provided by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, prompting Customs authorities to subject them to heightened inspection, BOC-Clark said.
Two shipments from California, USA, arrived on July 1, and were bound for Caloocan City and Valenzuela City. Declared as “Custom Printed Wedding Photo” and “Letter Notebook,” the shipments underwent physical examination on July 3, which led to the discovery of two pouches of suspected marijuana resin in each shipment. The substances weighed 810 grams and 808 grams, respectively, with a combined estimated value of P2.427 million.
The two other shipments from Thailand arrived on July 3 and were consigned to the same recipient in Taguig City. Both were declared as “Used Clothing.” A physical examination conducted on July 6 uncovered four plastic bags in each shipment containing suspected kush, with a combined weight of 5,142 grams and an estimated value of P7.723 million.
All four shipments underwent standard Customs clearance procedures, including X-ray scanning and K-9 sniff tests. The tests yielded positive indications for suspected dangerous drugs, prompting Customs authorities to conduct 100% physical examinations.
Initial testing using a Rigaku spectrometer confirmed the presence of cannabinoids. Representative samples were subsequently turned over to the PDEA for confirmatory laboratory examination.
Warrants of seizure and detention were issued against the shipments for violations of Sections 118(g), 119(d), and 1113(f), (i), and (l)(3) and (4) of RA 10863 (Customs Modernization and Tariff Act), in relation to RA 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act), as amended.
“Ang mga air express shipment ay karaniwang target ng mga smuggler. Kaya mahalaga ang patuloy na pagsasanay ng ating mga Customs officer at ang mas mahigpit na pagbabantay sa mga air express warehouse upang mapigilan ang pagpasok ng kontrabando,” noted Customs Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno.
BOC-Clark District Collector Jairus S. Reyes commended the relentless efforts of Customs personnel and partner law enforcement agencies in strengthening border security and preventing the entry of illegal drugs. BOC-PR
