P789K HIGH-GRADE ‘KUSH’ HIDDEN IN MEN’S SUIT SEIZED AT PORT OF CLARK

THE Bureau of Customs (BOC) seized  some 526 grams of “high-grade” marijuana or “Kush” worth P789,000  at the Port of Clark in Pampanga.

The seizure was conducted in cooperation with the Customs Anti-Illegal Drug Task Force (CAIDTF), the Philippine National Police – Aviation Security Group (PNP-AVSEG), the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Pampanga District Office, the Department of Justice (DOJ), and local officials from Bgy. Dau in Mabalacat, Pampanga.

The shipment, which arrived on October 17, 2024, was declared as “Men’s Track Suits, Size Medium, Polyester” and was flagged for physical examination by the BOC’s X-ray Inspection Project (XIP) after suspicious images were detected.

Two silver vacuum-sealed bags were found by the authorities. Each bag was filled with dried leaves and fruiting tops suspected to be high-grade marijuana.

The smugglers attempted to conceal the illegal substance by wrapping it in the garments, but the BOC’s X-ray Inspection and profiling skills thwarted the attempt. A K-9 unit further confirmed the presence of illegal substances.

Samples were taken and turned over to PDEA for chemical laboratory analysis, which confirmed the substances as marijuana, classified as a dangerous drug under Republic Act 9165, as amended.

Acting District collector Jairus Reyes issued a Warrant of Seizure and Detention against the shipment for violation of Sections 118 (g), 119 (d), and 1113 paragraphs f, i, and l (3 and 4) of Republic Act 10863 also known as the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA), in relation to RA 9165.

He also praised the team for their accurate profiling and scanning, which resulted in the successful interception of the illegal shipment.