AT least 76 million worth of dried marijuana leaves from Thailand were intercepted by operatives of the Bureau of Customs (BOC)
In a statement, the agency said “Based on the information we received, the alert order was issued against this shipment because of the suspected presence of illegal drugs. We found around 12 kilos of marijuana per balikbayan box during the inspection,” according to BOC-Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service Director Verne Enciso.
According to BOC, the shipment was consigned to Marcelo D. Laylo Cargo Forwarders, and was sent to an individual from Cavite.
It was originally declared as consolidated balikbayan boxes/personal effects from Thailand.
The boxes and the containers were examined by the assigned Customs examiner and witnessed by the CIIS, BOC’s Enforcement and Security Service, Customs Anti-Illegal Drug Task Force, the Philippine Coast Guard, Environmental Protection and Compliance Division, Office of Drug Control, and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.
Deputy Commissioner for Intelligence Juvymax Uy said the BOC is now in the process of preparing supporting documents to track the individuals involved in the shipment.
“We are preparing the necessary documents to start looking into these individuals. Stopping the entry of these shipments into the country is one thing, but the bigger part of the operation is making sure someone is held accountable for such activity,” Uy said.
“The successful interdiction of illegal narcotics from entering our borders was possible because our officers continue to exhibit their experiences combined with the technology we now have. This operation shows our commitment to keeping illegal drugs off our communities because protecting the people is our duty,” BOC Commissioner Bien Rubio said.
