BOC seizes P29 million in suspected marijuana, kush oil

The Bureau of Customs-Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service seized over P29 million worth of suspected marijuana and kush oil found inside two balikbayan boxes at the Manila International Container Port (MICP).

The balikbayan boxes, which originated from Canada and were initially declared as containing used household goods, were consigned to a residence in General Trias, Cavite.

In a statement on Monday, BOC Commissioner Bien Rubio condemned the misuse of balikbayan boxes for smuggling illegal drugs, emphasizing that it undermines the deeply rooted Filipino tradition of sending packages to loved ones.

“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.

Meanwhile, CIIS Director Verne Enciso stated that the balikbayan boxes underwent a 100% physical examination at the Designated Examination Area (DEA) of the MICP, conducted by an assigned Customs examiner.

“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, along with one liter of the suspected kush oil. The second box had 23 vacuum-sealed plastic pouches, totaling 11,181 grams of kush.

Enciso noted that the seized substances, comprising 43 vacuum-sealed plastic pouches of kush and one liter of liquid substance, have an estimated total street value of P29,386,000.

The BOC stated that the examination of the balikbayan boxes was conducted in the presence of representatives from the CIIS, Enforcement and Security Service, Customs Anti-Illegal Drug Task Force, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, Philippine Coast Guard, X-ray Inspection Project, and Office of the District Collector.

Samples of the suspected marijuana were turned over to the PDEA for confirmatory testing.

The BOC confirmed that the consignees, senders, and recipients of the shipment will face charges under customs law for violating Section 118 (prohibited importation and exportation) and Section 1400 (misdeclaration) of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA), as well as Republic Act No. 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002). — DVM, GMA Integrated News