MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Customs (BOC) seized an estimated P29.5 million worth of marijuana along with other smuggled goods from balikbayan boxes at the Manila International Container Port (MICP).
According to a recent statement from the BOC, the illegal items were discovered upon a total physical examination of the MICP’s designated examination area.
Seventy-four boxes that arrived on April 12 from Thailand were inspected by the BOC, three of which have so far been discovered to contain 21,071 grams of dried marijuana or kush.
The first box had around 6,400 grams of dried marijuana packed in 24 pieces of plastic pouch; the second box had 9,771 grams packed in 42 pieces of plastic pouch; and the third box had 4,900 grams packed in 22 pieces of plastic pouch.
“Based on the report from our field station at the MICP, the shipment was declared to contain only household items, shoes, and motor parts from Thailand. We so far opened three boxes out of the 74 boxes found and now we have positive confirmation of the presence of marijuana,” Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service-MICP Director Verne Enciso said.
The seized marijuana had an estimated street value of P29,499,400 and was consigned to a certain Wilma Bulahagui and Erickson Bulahagui.
MICP District Collector Mimel Talusan immediately issued a Warrant of Seizure and Detention (WSD) on the shipment following the discovery of the contraband.
The BOC said all consignees, senders, and…
