P3.9M WORTH OF ‘KUSH’ DECLARED AS HANDCRAFTED ARTIFICIAL FLOWERS SEIZED AT PORT OF CLARK

admin February 15, 2025

JOINT operatives seized at the Port of Clark in Pampanga some P3.9 million worth of high-grade marijuana or kush declared as handcrafted artificial flowers.

Members of the Bureau of Customs (BOC), through the Port of Clark Customs Anti-Illegal Drug Task Force (CAIDTF), along with the Philippine National Police—Aviation Security Group (PNP-AVSEG), Department of Justice (DOJ), the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), and local officials from Bgy. Dau, Mabalacat Pampanga seized 2.644 kilograms of “Kush,” with an estimated value of P3,966,000.

Prior to its arrival, derogatory information from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) prompted the assigned examiner to conduct a physical examination of the shipment.

The shipment was declared as “handcrafted artificial flower” consisting of roses, jasmine, and cockscomb flowers.

During examination, authorities discovered four vacuum-sealed plastic pouches containing dried leaves and fruiting tops suspected to be high-grade marijuana.

Samples were taken and turned over to the PDEA for chemical analysis, which confirmed the substance as marijuana, classified as a dangerous drug under R.A. No. 9165, as amended.

A Warrant of Seizure and Detention was issued for the shipment for violating Sections 118(g), 119(d), and 1113 paragraphs (f), (i), and (l) (3 and 4) of Repubic Act 10863 also known as the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA), in relation to Republic Act 9165, as amended.

District collector Jairus S. Reyes commended the strong partnership between the BOC—Port of Clark and the agencies involved in the operation, emphasizing the critical role of collaboration in safeguarding the nation’s borders.

Under the leadership of Commissioner Bienvenido Y. Rubio, the BOC has been persistent in its campaign against illegal drug smuggling and preventing the proliferation of illegal drugs in communities, which in turn significantly endangers the lives, safety, and well-being of Filipinos.