As part of the Bureau of Customs’ (BOC) strengthened anti-illegal drug campaign, BOC-Ninoy Aquino International Airport (BOC-NAIA) with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and NAIA Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction

Task Group (NAIA-IADITG), intercepted a balikbayan box shipment of kush (high-grade marijuana) with an estimated street value of P16.8 million at Pair Cargo Warehouse in Pasay City.

The composite team also apprehended its consignee during a joint controlled delivery operation on February 11, 2023, in Antipolo, Rizal.

The subject parcel arrived in NAIA from California, USA through a balikbayan box, which was declared as personal effects. However, upon x-ray screening and physical Customs examination, it was found to contain 12,000 grams of dried leaves.

PDEA laboratory testing revealed that the substance was high-grade marijuana or kush, a dangerous drug as per Republic Act (RA) 9165, also known as the Anti-illegal Drugs Act.

The arrested claimant is currently undergoing custodial investigation of PDEA for initiation of the corresponding inquest proceedings for violation of RA 9165 and RA 10863 or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA).

The BOC, under the new leadership of Commissioner Bienvenido Y. Rubio, remains committed in protecting the country against entry of illegal goods and will further intensify vigilance and dedication to prevent smuggling attempts in the borders, aligned with the directives of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. ##