Parcels declared as commodities from the United States of America and Canada were revealed to contain marijuana and cannabis oil with a combined worth of P3 million, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) reported Monday, April 29.
An inspection by officials of BOC-Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) of five parcels proclaimed as car seat cover, coffee mugs, and books yielded a total of 2,536 grams of marijuana and 70 pieces of vape that contain cannabis oil with an estimated value of P3,554,600.
The collected samples were sent to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency for laboratory testing and confirmation, which turned out positive.
The leaves were determined as marijuana, while vape pens were found to contain cannabis oil, which are considered dangerous drugs and substances as per the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.
The consignees of the parcels will face charges for violating the anti-drugs and tariff laws the BOC said.
BOC-NAIA District Collector Yasmin O. Mapa said that they will remain steadfast in its commitment to strengthen the country's border against nefarious attempts to import prohibited and dangerous drugs.
“The Bureau through these seizures significantly aided the national government in protecting our communities from potential threats of the proliferation of dangerous drugs and substances to health and safety of our citizenry,” Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Y. Rubio said.
Taxes from smuggled products are a few of the sources that will make up the BOC’s target goal of at least P1 trillion in revenues this year.
During the first quarter, the BOC contributed P218.9 billion or 23 percent to the state coffers, surpassing last year’s collections of P213.8 billion.
Additional revenue was collected through the prior disclosure program and other audit findings, totaling P1.088 billion and P89.071 million, while some P3.890 million was obtained through public auctions.
The BOC also reported the seizure of P18.11 billion worth of smuggled goods during the period and marked 4.81 billion liters of fuel while collecting P61.1 billion in duties and taxes.