By Ferdinand Patinio

CONTRABAND. A Bureau of Customs agent conducts an inventory of the dried marijuana leaves that were seized from a shipment from Thailand on Tuesday (April 29, 2025). The BOC on Wednesday (April 30) said the contraband, estimated to be worth PHP101.1 million, were discovered inside five “balikbayan” boxes that arrived at the Manila International Container Port. (Photo from BOC)

MANILA – The Bureau of Customs (BOC) on Tuesday seized PHP101 million worth of kush or high-grade marijuana that arrived at the Manila International Container Port (MICP) from Thailand.

In a news release on Wednesday, Deputy Commissioner for Intelligence Group Juvymax Uy said the illegal drugs were discovered after the BOC-Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service received derogatory information about the shipment and had it held at the Manila port following an order by Commissioner Bien Rubio.

A physical examination of five of the 136 “balikbayan” boxes revealed some 72,178 grams of dried marijuana leaves that have an estimated street value of PHP101,049,200.

“The shipment, which totals to 136 balikbayan boxes, was originally declared to contain personal effects and household goods from Thailand. However, even before it arrived in our port, the CIIS-MICP already verified information that it possibly contained illegal drugs and other misdeclared and undeclared items,” Uy said.

According to BOC-CIIS director Verne Enciso, the five “balikbayan” boxes that were subjected to inspection and examination were marked as beauty products, assorted shoes, and assorted dresses.

“So far, we found that the five balikbayan boxes all contain several sealed plastic pouches that have what looks like dried leaves inside. We’re currently in the process of inspecting and making an inventory of the rest of the balikbayan boxes,” Enciso said.

The “balikbayan” boxes, each with two medium-sized boxes inside, carried 138 total heat-sealed transparent plastic bags with an estimated total weight of 72.178 kg. of suspected ‘kush’.

Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) agents took samples of the suspected dried marijuana leaves for confirmatory testing at the PDEA laboratory.

The consignees, senders, and recipients of the shipment will face charges under the Customs law for violating Section 118 (prohibited importation and exportation) and Section 1400 (misdeclaration) in the goods declaration in relation to Section 1113 (property subject to seizure and forfeiture) of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA) and Republic Act No. 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002).

Full inventory of the remaining boxes are ongoing, the BOC said. (PNA)