BoC intercepts P101-M Thailand weed

Authorities seized a marijuana shipment worth P101 million that arrived Tuesday at the Manila International Container Port (MICP), according to the Bureau of Customs-Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (BoC-CIIS).

According to a Wednesday report from BoC-CIIS deputy commissioner for Intelligence Group Juvymax Uy, they received derogatory information about the shipment and immediately had it held at the Manila port.

Five out of 136 balikbayan boxes were inspected and discovered to contain 72,178 grams of dried marijuana leaves with an estimated street value of P101,049,200.

“The shipment, totaling 136 balikbayan boxes, was originally declared to contain personal effects and household goods from Thailand. However, even before it arrived at our port, the CIIS-MICP already verified information suggesting it contained illegal drugs and other misdeclared and undeclared items,” Uy said.

Meantime, BoC-CIIS director Verne Enciso disclosed that the five balikbayan boxes were marked as beauty products, assorted shoes and assorted dresses.

“So far, we have found that the five balikbayan boxes all contain several sealed plastic pouches that have what looks like dried leaves inside. We’re currently in the process of inspecting and making an inventory of the rest of the balikbayan boxes,” Enciso said.

Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) agents took samples of the suspected dried marijuana leaves for confirmatory testing at the PDEA laboratory.

While the full inventory of the remaining boxes is still ongoing, the five balikbayan boxes were returned to the container van and secured with padlocks and seals.

The consignees, senders and recipients of the shipment will face charges under the customs law for violating Section 118 (prohibited importation and exportation) and Section 1400 (misdeclaration) in the goods declaration in relation to Section 1113 (property subject to seizure and forfeiture) of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act and Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002).