Authorities in Clark Freeport intercepted some P10.15-million worth of marijuana resin and high-grade marijuana known as “Kush” inside four shipments from Thailand and United States on July 2026.

According to the Bureau of Customs (BOC) Port of Clark, an operation was conducted along with the Clark Inter-Agency Task Force Against Illegal Drugs (CRK-IATFAID), leading to the confiscation of the said four shipments.

The BOC stated that all four shipments were flagged based on derogatory information provided by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), prompting Customs authorities to subject them to heightened inspection.

Two shipments from California, USA, arrived on 1 July 2026, and were bound for Caloocan City and Valenzuela City.

The said shipments were declared as “Custom Printed Wedding Photo” and “Letter Notebook” and were subjected to physical examination on July 3 by the BOC. The said examination 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.

Meanwhile, two shipments from Thailand arrived on 3 July 2026, and were consigned to the same recipient in Taguig City. The two shipments were declared as “Used Clothing” and were also subjected to physical examination on 6 July 2026.

The examination revealed four plastic bags in each shipment containing suspected high-grade marijuana or “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 (WSDs) were issued against the shipments for violations of Sections 118(g), 119(d), and 1113(f), (i), and (l)(3) and (4) of Republic Act No. 10863, or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA), in relation to Republic Act No. 9165, as amended.

BOC Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno underscored the importance of strengthening airport enforcement capabilities against drug smuggling.

“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,” Commissioner Nepomuceno said.