California drug shipment intercepted by multi-agency task force

Authorities intercepted a parcel from California containing approximately 4.1 kilograms of suspected hybrid cannabis, valued at more than P6.1 million, at the Clark Freeport Zone over the weekend.

The seizure occurred on 23 January at the FedEx cargo area after Bureau of Customs (BoC) examiners flagged a suspicious package during a routine X-ray screening, according to Philippine National Police (PNP) acting Chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr.

The shipment, declared as polyester rug runners, originated from Lake Avenue in California and was addressed to a male recipient in San Mateo, Rizal.

Following the X-ray alert, a Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) narcotics detection dog confirmed the presence of illegal substances. A subsequent search at 11:30 a.m. revealed three large black plastic bags hidden inside a cardboard cylinder.

Authorities said the bags contained “Kush,” a high-potency hybrid strain of cannabis, with a total weight of 4,110 grams. The estimated street value of the drugs is P6,165,500.

“This operation proves that joint vigilance can stop illegal drugs from entering our communities,” Nartatez said in a statement Sunday. “Every interception keeps our citizens safe.”

The operation was a coordinated effort between the PNP, PDEA, the Clark Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group, and the BoC. The inventory of the seized items was conducted in the presence of local officials and media representatives.

The parcel has been returned to the custody of the BoC while PDEA agents conduct confirmatory laboratory testing on the samples.

Nartatez credited the seizure to the PNP’s current “Focused Agenda,” which stresses seamless coordination between law enforcement agencies to intercept illegal shipments before they reach residential areas.