The BOC Port of Clark, under the leadership of District Collector Elvira Cruz, busted an attempt to smuggle 1,534 grams of High-Grade Marijuana or Kush Marijuana worth P2,531,100.00 on May 18.

The BOC discovered the illegal drugs in a shipment declared as “men’s t-shirts, men’s trousers, men’s windbreaker” from Kentucky, USA.

Initially flagged as suspicious by the X-ray Inspection Project (XIP) personnel, the shipment underwent K9 sniffing by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) K9 Unit, which indicated the presence of dangerous drugs.

A physical examination was immediately conducted by the assigned customs examiner in the presence of the media, a barangay kagawad, and representatives from the Customs Anti-Illegal Drugs Task Force, Enforcement and Security Service, Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service, XIP, and PDEA.

The physical examination led to the discovery of three jog-sealed bags concealing dried leaves and fruiting tops. Samples were handed over to the PDEA for chemical laboratory analysis, which identified them as Tetrahydrocannabinol/Marijuana, a dangerous drug under Republic Act (RA) No. 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

District Collector Cruz issued a Warrant of Seizure and Detention against the shipment after finding probable cause for violation of Section 118 (g), 119 (d), and 1113 par. (f), (I), and (l)-(3) and (4) of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act in relation to R.A. No. 9165.

“The Port of Clark remains vigilant against various drug smuggling attempts and this recent accomplishment is a testament that we are consistent in fulfilling the mission of the Bureau of Customs to strengthen border security,” said District Collector Elvira Cruz.

Commissioner Bienvenido Y. Rubio commended BOC-Clark for combating illegal drug smuggling and acknowledged the support of PDEA in the Bureau’s anti-illegal drug operations.#