BUSTED. Customs officers discover kush (high-grade marijuana) inside balikbayan boxes from Thailand during an inspection at the Manila International Container Port on Tuesday (Feb. 27, 2024). Authorities intercepted a total of 63 kg. shipment consigned to Marcelo D. Laylo Cargo Forwarders, and was sent by a certain Gerard Cruz to be received by Erika Cruz, a resident of Dasmariñas, Cavite. (Photo courtesy of BOC)
MANILA – Authorities have discovered nearly 63 kg. of dried kush or high-grade marijuana worth around PHP76 million inside balikbayan boxes at the Manila International Container Port (MICP).
In a statement Wednesday, Bureau of Customs-Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (BOC-CIIS) director Verne Enciso said the contraband was found in two smaller boxes inside the five balikbayan boxes declared as consolidated personal effects that arrived on Feb. 17 from Thailand.
The shipment underwent a 100 percent physical examination on Tuesday, based on an alert order requested by CIIS-MICP and issued by District Collector Romeo Allan Rosales on Feb. 19.
“Based on the information we received, the alert order was issued against this shipment because of the suspected presence of illegal drugs. We found around 12 kilos of marijuana per balikbayan box during the inspection,” Enciso said.
The shipment was consigned to Marcelo D. Laylo Cargo Forwarders and was sent by a certain Gerard Cruz to be received by Erika Cruz, a resident of Dasmariñas, Cavite.
The examination of the containers was conducted by the assigned Customs examiner and witnessed by CIIS, Enforcement and Security Service (ESS), Customs Anti-Illegal Drug Task Force (CAIDTF), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Environmental Protection and Compliance Division (EPCD), Office of the District Collector (ODC) and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).
Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio, meanwhile, said this operation "shows our commitment to keeping illegal drugs off our communities".
He added that the consignees, senders, and recipients of the balikbayan boxes will possibly face charges in violation of Section 118 (prohibited importation and exportation) and Section 1400 (misdeclaration) in goods declaration about 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). (PNA)
