5 kilos of dried opium poppy buds seized at the NAIA

Authorities confiscated a package containing at least five kilos of dried opium poppy buds from Spain and arrested the Indian national who claimed the item, James Agustin reported on "Saksi."

The package arrived on April 17 from Spain and was declared to contain cereals and corn flakes.

It was passed through the XRay machine at the Central Mail Exchange Center where authorities became suspicious when they noticed it contained plants.

The package was claimed on Tuesday evening and was opened for inspection. This is the moment the authorities saw dried opium poppy buds, which are considered illegal in the country.

The authorities arrested the 37-year-old Indian national who claimed the package and who has been living in Dasmariñas, Cavite for the last 15 years.

The suspect said he ordered medicines online last month.

"Order lang ako ng panggamot hindi ko na alam talaga bawal ba rito," he said, adding that the medicines are for his back pain.

Gerald Javier, NAIA-IADITG Deputy Task Group commander said, "It turned out meron itong plant sa loob then upon checking doon sa declaration it was declared as foods prepared food and cereals which is misdeclared na siya at itong package na ito supposedly pick up dito sa CMEC."

"Sa plant na ito meron kasi ditong parang liquid na parang gatas na nung unang panahon ito’y ginagawa na inisscrape ito then air dry siya then maging opium siya. Opium is pwede mong gawin na morphine, codeine and heroine," he added.

The suspect will be brought to the PDEA office in Quezon City and will be facing charges related to the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act. -- BAP, GMA Integrated News