Agents of the Bureau of Customs-Manila International Container Port (BOC-MICP), through the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS), intercepted a shipment of balikbayan boxes from Thailand that were suspected to contain illegal drugs, misdeclared, and undeclared items based on processed information from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).

Records show that the CIIS Field Station – MICP requested for the issuance of an Alert Order on February 28, 2024. Acting on the matter, the Office of the District Collector immediately issued an alert order against the subject shipment due to the above derogatory information.

On March 5-8, 2024, the said shipment underwent a 100% physical examination conducted by the assigned customs examiner with representatives from ClIS, the Enforcement and Security Service, the Customs Anti-Illegal Drugs Task Force, the Philippine Coast Guard, the Environmental Protection and Compliance Division, and PDEA.

Found during the inspection were several packages of kush weighing more or less 63.5 kilograms and 700 pieces of disposable vapes.

Consistent with the directive of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. for an intensified campaign against illegal drugs, the MICP, under the leadership of Commissioner Bienvenido Y. Rubio, continues to reinforce its efforts in securing the country’s borders against the entry of smuggled goods.

“The success of this apprehension lies in the effective communication with PDEA. It exemplifies our unwavering commitment as frontline defenders to safeguard our borders from controlled substances such as high-grade marijuana. We remain resolute in our stance against those perpetrating nefarious activities through our continued and prompt coordination with other law enforcement agencies in the country,” said Commissioner Rubio in a statement.