Bureau of Customs NAIA (BOC NAIA), Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), and NAIA Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group (NAIA-IADITG) agents arrested claimant of package declared as “personal gifts and clothing” containing gummies infused with cannabis and THC Vape Cartridges with estimate value of Php85,299.12 in Central Mail Exchange Center (CMEC) at around 12:30 PM last January 31, 2022.
The team which is composed of members from the POZ Enforcement and Security Service – Customs Police Division (ESS-CPD) and the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service
The arrested claimant was identified as “Elvira Vicente” who presented an authorization letter from the consignee, a certain “Vincent Castillo”, in claiming the subject package shipped from Canada.
The illegal goods were discovered during physical examination at the CMEC window witnessed by the claimant, BOC, and PhilPost representatives. Inside the EMS package, along with chocolates, cosmetics, and clothing, undeclared 20 pouches Cannabis Infused Gummy and 49 THC Vape Cartridges were found.
Initial field test conducted by the Customs Anti-Illegal Drug Task Force (CAIDTF NAIA) showed that the gummies and the vape cartridges contain cannabinoid, a chemical compound found in cannabis or also known as marijuana. Thereafter, the seized gummies and vape cartridges were immediately submitted to PDEA chemical laboratory for further quantitative and qualitative tests.
PDEA reminds the public that cannabis, THC or any derivatives in any form containing said substance are classified as a dangerous drug under Republic Act No. 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 and the unauthorized importation, sale, possession, cultivation, and use thereof remain punishable under the law.
The arrested claimant and seized illegal goods were turned over to the PDEA for the institution of inquest proceedings for violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act (Republic Act 9165) in relation to Section 118 (Prohibited Importation) and Section 1401 (Unlawful Importation) of the Republic Act 10863, otherwise known as the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA).
The Bureau of Customs, under the leadership of Commissioner Rey Leonardo B. Guerrero, remains vigilant against the entry of prohibited drugs and other contraband in all airports and seaports nationwide.
