PASALU-BONG? P29M in kush found in 'balikbayan' boxes

The Bureau of Customs-Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (BOC-CIIS) intercepted P29 million worth of suspected marijuana and kush oil hidden in two balikbayan boxes that arrived at the Manila International Container Port (MICP) on 7 March 2025.

According to BOC Commissioner Bien Rubio, the boxes, which arrived from Canada, were falsely declared as used household goods and personal effects and were consigned to a residence in General Trias, Cavite. He condemned the smuggling of illegal drugs through balikbayan boxes, calling it an insult to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who send packages home to support their families.

“You know, balikbayan boxes are very Filipino. This is ingrained into our culture and our tradition that wherever we are, we send balikbayan boxes back to our loved ones here in the Philippines because it shows we care. Using them for something illegal is an insult to our hardworking OFWs and their families who look forward to receiving even the simplest gifts contained in these boxes,” Rubio said.

Routine inspection

BOC-CIIS Director Verne Enciso revealed that the balikbayan boxes underwent a 100% physical examination at the Designated Examination Area of the MICP following intelligence reports linking them to drug smuggling.

“We received derogatory information about these two balikbayan boxes and immediately processed the proper documents to have them inspected. The examination found a total of 20,990 grams of kush and one liter of liquid substance we suspect to be kush oil,” Enciso said.

The first box contained 20 vacuum-sealed plastic pouches totaling 9,809 grams of kush and one liter of liquid substance. The second box had 23 vacuum-sealed plastic pouches, totaling 11,181 grams of kush.

The total estimated street value of the seized drugs is P29,386,000.

BOC buffs security

The inspection was witnessed by representatives from CIIS, Enforcement and Security Service, Customs Anti-Illegal Drug Task Force, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), Philippine Coast Guard, X-ray Inspection Project, and the Office of the District Collector. Samples were turned over to PDEA for confirmatory testing.

Deputy Commissioner for Intelligence Group Juvymax Uy emphasized the BOC’s border security mission in preventing the entry of illegal substances into the country.

“We must always remember that our mandate is not only to protect the country from dangerous narcotics, but to also prevent these illegal substances from reaching our communities. Operations like this also take drug traffickers out from the streets, hurt drug trafficking organizations, and take profits away from them,” Uy said.