Consistent in protecting the borders against illegal drugs, the Bureau of Customs – Port of Clark, in coordination with PDEA, CAIDTF, ESS, XIP and CIIS, uncovered and seized 15 packs of High Grade Kush Marijuana with an estimated value of Php 675,000.00 and arrested the claimant in Malate, Manila in a controlled delivery operations on December 13, 2021.
Intensifying profiling mechanisms and maximizing the use of x-ray machines, subject shipment declared as “Quilt” from Washington, USA was profiled and subjected to x-ray scanning which showed images of possible presence of illegal drugs. The subject shipment was likewise subjected to K9 sweeping which also gave positive indications. Thereafter, physical examination was conducted which resulted to the findings of 15 packs of suspected Kush Marijuana concealed inside handmade quilt.
Representative samples were then turned over to PDEA for the conduct of chemical laboratory analysis which confirmed that the subject substance contains Marijuana, a dangerous drug under R.A. No. 9165.
District Collector Alexandra Lumontad immediately issued a Warrant of Seizure and Detention against the subject shipment for violation of Sections 1400, 118 (g), 119 (d) and 1113 par. f, i & l (3 & 4) of R.A. 10863 otherwise known as the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA) in relation to R.A. 9165 otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
Thereafter, a controlled delivery operation was conducted on December 13, 2021 by the joint elements of PDEA, CAIDTF, ESS & CIIS to the consignee’s address at Malate, Manila which resulted to the arrest of the claimant.
The subject illegal drugs were turned over to PDEA for proper disposition and the claimant will be subjected to inquest proceedings.
With the increasing records of drug seizure at the Port of Clark, District Collector Alexandra Lumontad said that the port will further reinforce its anti-illegal drugs campaign to expose the different modus of unscrupulous individuals attempting to smuggle illegal drugs in the country.
To date, the Port of Clark, in coordination with PDEA and CAIDTF, have arrested five (5) claimants out of its eight (8) major drug apprehensions in 2021.
