P101-M marijuana shipment from Thailand seized — Customs

Agents of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) have seized P101 million worth of marijuana from a shipment that arrived at the Manila International Container Port (MICP) from Thailand.

According to Deputy Commissioner for Intelligence Group Juvymax Uy, the BOC Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) immediately held the marijuana after receiving derogatory information about the shipment.

Authorities examined five of 136 balikbayan boxes, yielding 72,178 grams of dried marijuana leaves. Their estimated street value was placed at P101,049,200.

"The shipment, which totals to 136 balikbayan boxes, was originally declared to contain personal effects and household goods from Thailand. However, even before it arrived in our port, the CIIS-MICP already verified information that it possibly contained illegal drugs and other misdeclared and undeclared items," Uy said in a press release.

Meanwhile, BOC-CIIS Director Verne Enciso said the five balikbayan boxes that were subjected to inspection and examination on Tuesday were marked as beauty products, assorted shoes, and assorted dresses.

"So far, we 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.

The five balikbayan boxes carried 138 total heat-sealed transparent plastic bags with an estimated total weight of 72,178 grams of suspected "kush" or dried marijuana leaves.

For its part, agents from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) took samples of the dried marijuana leaves for confirmatory testing at the PDEA laboratory.

While the full inventory of the remaining boxes are still ongoing, the five master balikbayan boxes were returned to its 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 (CMTA) and Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002). — VDV, GMA Integrated News