The BOC Port of Clark, under the leadership of District Collector Atty. Elvira Cruz, uncovered 1,514 grams of High Grade Marijuana or Kush Marijuana worth P2,498,100.00 in a shipment declared as “denim jeans” last May 15.

Initially tagged as suspicious by the X-ray Inspection Project (XIP) personnel, the shipment was subjected to K9 sniffing by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) K9 Unit which gave positive indication for the presence of dangerous drugs.

A physical examination was immediately conducted by the assigned customs examiner in the presence of the media and 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 examination led to the discovery of three jog sealed bags containing dried leaves and fruiting tops. Samples were taken to the PDEA for chemical laboratory analysis, which was identified as Tetrahydrocannabinol/ Marijuana, a dangerous drug under the Republic Act (RA) No. 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

A Warrant of Seizure and Detention was issued by District Collector Cruz against the shipment 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 RA No. 9165.

“The Port of Clark is firm with its anti-illegal drugs campaign. Through the vigilance of our personnel and the constant support of PDEA, we were able to stop various drug smuggling attemps as evidenced by the port’s series of apprehensions. Rest assured that the Port of Clark will continue to enforce its border security measures,” said District Collector Atty. Elvira Cruz.#