PDEA: P16.2-M worth of ketamine, high-grade marijuana seized in Pasay City
By Chito Chavez
Around P16,248,980 worth of ketamine and marijuana kush were seized on Thursday, June 5, during the interdiction operation at the Central Mail Exchange Center (CMEC) in Pasay City, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) stated.
In a statement, the PDEA said the Ninoy Aquino International Airport-Inter-Agency Drug Task Group (NAIA-IADTG) discovered P15,125,000 worth of ketamine and 858 grams of dried leaves of “marijuana kush’’ valued at P1,123,980 concealed in three separate barrels, which originated from different countries.
The PDEA Regional Office-National Capital Region (PDEA RO NCR) said the first parcel, which arrived from the United States of America, was declared as a “Brand Shirt Pack.”
“Upon inspection, it was found to contain one vacuum-sealed transparent plastic bag filled with dried leaves suspected to be Marijuana Kush, with a gross weight of approximately 240 grams,’’ the PDEA noted.
The second parcel came from Thailand and contained three white boxes, where transparent plastic bags filled with dried leaves suspected “marijuana kush’’ weighing about 618 grams were found.
Further, anti-narcotics authorities said that the third parcel, which originated from Poland, “concealed five transparent plastic bags containing a white crystalline substance suspected to be ketamine.’’
“These were hidden inside a coffee maker and had a combined gross weight of approximately 3,025 grams,’’ the PDEA stated.
PDEA pointed out that the three parcels initially underwent X-ray screening by a Bureau of Customs (BOC) inspector and were flagged as suspicious.
“After several months without any claimant, the parcels were tagged as abandoned,’’ the PDEA added.
On order of the BOC, a K9 inspection was conducted by the PDEA Airport Interdiction Unit, which yielded a positive indication for the presence of dangerous drugs, prompting a thorough examination and subsequent seizure.
“The shipper and receiver involved are subject to investigation and filing of appropriate charges in violation of RA 9165. Drug evidence will be submitted to the PDEA Laboratory Service for laboratory examination,’’ the PDEA continued.