The Bureau of Customs (BOC) intercepted a marijuana shipment worth over P101 million at the Manila International Container Port (MICP), following intelligence reports. The illegal drugs were concealed inside balikbayan boxes sent from Thailand.
Deputy Commissioner Juvymax Uy said the shipment, which included 136 balikbayan boxes labeled as household items, was flagged before it arrived. Upon inspection, authorities discovered 72,178 grams of suspected dried marijuana—commonly known as “kush”—in five of the boxes.
CIIS Director Verne Enciso noted that these five boxes were misdeclared as containing beauty products, shoes, and clothes. Instead, officers found 138 sealed plastic bags containing dried leaves believed to be marijuana.
The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) has since collected samples for confirmatory testing. The boxes have been re-secured and stored as the full inspection continues.
Those involved in the shipment will face charges under several provisions of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act, including for prohibited importation and misdeclaration, as well as violations under the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.