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Bureau of Customs intercepted 800 kilograms of marijuana valued at P1.2 billion at the Manila International Container Port
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The shipment arrived from Thailand and was falsely declared as rubber mats and plastic wares
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The cargo was flagged by the BOC Intelligence Group’s Risk Management Office
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Authorities conducted a 100% physical inspection, discovering 80 boxes containing vacuum-sealed packs of suspected marijuana/kush
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The operation was carried out in coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and the Philippine Coast Guard
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A broker’s representative was apprehended during the operation and placed under custody for inquest proceedings
The Bureau of Customs (BOC) intercepted on March 7 an estimated 800 kilograms of marijuana valued at P1.2 billion during a full inspection of an inbound shipment at the Manila International Container Port.
The shipment originated from Thailand and was declared to contain rubber mats and plastic wares. It was flagged for verification by the BOC Intelligence Group’s Risk Management Office following a risk assessment that prompted authorities to order a 100% physical examination of the cargo.
During the inspection, done in coordination with law enforcement partners, customs examiners discovered 80 boxes containing vacuum-sealed transparent packs of suspected marijuana, also known as kush.
The operation was conducted in coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the Philippine Coast Guard as part of intensified border control measures aimed at preventing illegal drugs from entering the country.
“This interdiction is the result of careful risk assessment, intelligence coordination, and the diligence of our frontline personnel,” Customs commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno said in a news release.
Authorities also apprehended an individual who identified himself as the broker’s representative during the operation.
Later the same day, the seized items were formally turned over to the PDEA after the completion of the required documentation, while the apprehended individual was placed under custody for inquest proceedings.
