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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider PDEA confiscates over P700 M worth of marijuana, shabu in Manila, Cavite operations

PDEA confiscates over P700 M worth of marijuana, shabu in Manila, Cavite operations

Published Mar 7, 2026 10:59 am  |  Updated Mar 7, 2026 01:07 pm
PDEA
PDEA
Authorities foiled another smuggling attempt using the country’s port system following the confiscation of around P640 million worth of marijuana during an interdiction operation at the Manila International Container Port (MICP) in Tondo, Manila.
In a statement, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) said the 800 kilograms of marijuana was based on intelligence reports regarding the shipment.
The operation was then carried out early Saturday morning at the MICP’s Designated Examination Area (DEA), Container Facility Station 3 (CFS3) which resulted in the arrest of a 44-year old man from Legazpi City.
“The suspect was apprehended after authorities discovered the illegal drugs concealed inside shipment packages consigned to a declared consignee during inspection procedures at the port facility,” PDEA said.
The marijuana was packed inside eighty black plastic storage boxes—each box contained multiple vacuum-sealed transparent plastic bags filled with the suspected illegal substance.
Based on the standard drug price set by authorities, the seized marijuana has an estimated value of ₱640 million.
Also confiscated during the operation were a mobile phone and an identification card belonging to the arrested suspect.
The arrested suspect will face charges for violation of Section 4, Article II of Republic Act No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 while the seized drug evidence will be submitted to the PDEA Laboratory Service for forensic examination.
On Friday, PDEA agents also seized around P78 million worth of shabu in another controlled delivery operation in Barangay Bucandala I, Imus City, Cavite.
The operation resulted in the arrest of a certain “Moel” as he was the one who claimed the two balikbayan boxes shipped through a cargo forwarding service.
The packages were subjected to inspection and were found to contain illegal drugs concealed in several plastic packages—around 25 kilos of marijuana and 11 kilos of shabu.
Also recovered from the suspect were several non-drug pieces of evidence including cash used in an attempted bribery of the operating officers, identification cards, delivery receipts, cargo documents, a cellular phone, assorted clothing, and drug paraphernalia such as a grinder and a glass tube with traces of marijuana, as well as a vehicle believed to have been used in the transaction.
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