By Ferdinand Patinio
MANILA – Customs authorities recently intercepted six inbound parcels containing kush (high-grade marijuana) valued at PHP4.5 million at the Central Mail Exchange Center in Pasay City.
In a statement Thursday, Bureau of Customs (BOC) Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio reported that the parcels from Thailand contained 3.23 kg. of kush.
The shipments consigned to various recipients in the Philippines were flagged by the BOC – Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), during a routine inspection on Feb. 6.
The confiscated illegal drugs were turned over to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) for further investigation and case build-up against those involved in the shipment for possible violations of Republic Act (RA) 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, and RA 10863, or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act.
“The Bureau of Customs remains relentless in its efforts to secure the country’s borders against illegal drugs, which pose great risks to our countrymen’s health and safety,” he said.
Aligned with President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s directives on border security and public safety, the BOC said it remains steadfast in its mission to prevent the entry of illegal drugs into the country.
The apprehension was also in coordination with the PDEA and the NAIA Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group (NAIA-IADITG).
Meanwhile, the BOC – Port of Legazpi has taken custody of 45 bales of used clothing (ukay-ukay) worth approximately PHP291,000, which were seized by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in separate operations in Sorsogon province.
District Collector Guillermo Pedro Francia IV reported that the first operation resulted in the confiscation of 33 bales, estimated at PHP231,000, aboard a 14-wheeler truck originating from Caloocan City and headed for Masbate.
Upon inspection, the owners could not produce any legal documents related to their cargo.
Meanwhile, 12 bales valued at PHP60,000 were intercepted in the second operation while conducting a panel inspection on board a public bus at the Port of Matnog.
Corresponding seizure and forfeiture proceedings will be instituted against the apprehended bundles/bales of used clothing for violation of Section 118 (g) of RA 10863, otherwise known as the “Customs Modernization and Tariff Act,” in relation to RA 4653, otherwise known as “An Act to Safeguard the Health of the People and Maintain the Dignity of the Nation by Declaring it a National Policy to Prohibit the Commercial Importation of Textile Articles Commonly Known as Used Clothing and Rags.” (PNA)
