The Bureau of Customs (BOC) seized P38.8 million worth of dried marijuana from Thailand at the Manila International Container Port (MICP) last week.
According to the BOC, the contraband was discovered after the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) Field Station at the MICP requested a physical examination of a suspicious shipment.
The shipment, declared to contain plastic tableware, kitchenware, blankets, men's shoes, and other items, was found to actually contain illegal drugs along with misdeclared and undeclared items.
Three boxes were discovered to hold the dried marijuana from Thailand in heat-sealed plastic packages, with a total estimated value of P38.8 million.
The suspected items were returned to the container van, sealed, and padlocked for safekeeping. The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) will conduct further testing on the seized contraband.
The inspection of the remaining 75 boxes will continue on Monday, Aug. 5.
BOC Commissioner Bienvenido Y. Rubio said the bureau remains committed to combating the illegal drug trade and the need to be proactive in addressing the country's drug-related issues.
“Even as these smugglers and illegal drug traders try to step up their game, I want to assure our people that the BOC is well-positioned and well-equipped to detect and stop the entry of drugs in our country,” Rubio said.
“Our multifaceted approach allows us to not only keep up with these new modus, but to ultimately foil all attempts for these products to enter our markets and proliferate in our streets,” he added.
Intelligence Group Deputy Commissioner Juvymax Uy, meanwhile, lauded the BOC officers’ “innovative and relentless efforts” to curb the drug smuggling attempts.