Pasay City: Customs authorities recently intercepted six inbound parcels containing kush (high-grade marijuana) valued at PHP4.5 million at the Central Mail Exchange Center in Pasay City. In a statement Thursday, Bureau of Customs (BOC) Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio reported that the parcels from Thailand contained 3.23 kg of kush.
According to Philippines News Agency, the shipments were consigned to various recipients in the Philippines and flagged by the BOC - Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) during a routine inspection on February 6. The confiscated illegal drugs were handed over to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) for further investigation and case build-up against those involved in the shipment for possible violations of Republic Act (RA) 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, and RA 10863, or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act.
BOC Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio emphasized the agency's ongoing efforts to secure the country's borders against illegal drugs, highlighting the health and safety risks they pose. Aligned with President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.'s directives on border security and public safety, the BOC remains committed to preventing the entry of illegal drugs into the country. The apprehension was conducted in coordination with the PDEA and the NAIA Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group (NAIA-IADITG).
Meanwhile, the BOC - Port of Legazpi has taken custody of 45 bales of used clothing (ukay-ukay) worth approximately PHP291,000, seized by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in separate operations in Sorsogon province. District Collector Guillermo Pedro Francia IV reported that the first operation resulted in the confiscation of 33 bales, estimated at PHP231,000, aboard a 14-wheeler truck from Caloocan City heading to Masbate. The owners could not produce legal documents for their cargo upon inspection.
Additionally, 12 bales valued at PHP60,000 were intercepted in the second operation during a panel inspection on board a public bus at the Port of Matnog. Corresponding seizure and forfeiture proceedings will be instituted against the apprehended bundles/bales of used clothing for violation of Section 118 (g) of RA 10863, in relation to RA 4653, which prohibits the commercial importation of used clothing and rags to safeguard public health and maintain national dignity.
