AROUND P70-M ‘HIGH-GRADE’ MARIJUANA INTERCEPTED AT CLARK AIRPORT, 3 CHINESE NATIONALS NABBED

BY KEVIN GALANG

CLARK FREEPORT, Pampanga — Operatives on Saturday arrested three Chinese nationals following the interception of nearly P70 million worth of suspected “high-grade” marijuana or  kush  at Clark International Airport.

A report to Police Regional Office 3 (PRO3) director Brig. Gen. Jess Mendez showed the operation was conducted by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Region III Clark International Airport Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group (CRK-IADITG) in coordination with several law enforcement agencies.

Arrested were alias “Ang See,” 39; alias “Kim Tan,” 27; and alias “Li Cheng,” 30, all Chinese nationals.

Investigators said the suspects were carrying three  luggages containing 99 transparent vacuum-sealed plastic packs of dried leaves and fruiting tops believed to be kush when intercepted.

The confiscated drugs, which were found from three separate bags, weighed a total of 46,533.3 grams or 15,462.60 grams from the first bag, 15,600 grams from the second bag and 15,470.70 grams from the third luggage.

Authorities estimated the standard street value of the seized drugs at P69,799,950.

Also confiscated were the suspects three mobile phones, three Chinese passports, boarding passes, two ATM cards, seven identification cards, a wallet, and one SIM card.

The suspects were transit passengers from Bangkok, Thailand who arrived at Clark on board Cebu Pacific Flight 5J-942 and were scheduled to continue their journey to Hong Kong via Flight 5J-150 when the illegal drugs were discovered.

The operation was carried out through the coordinated efforts of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, Bureau of Customs-Customs Anti-Illegal Drug Task Force at the Port of Clark, the Philippine National Police Drug Enforcement Group Special Operations Unit 3, the Philippine National Police Aviation Security Group Regional Unit 3, the National Bureau of Investigation Pampanga District Office, the Bureau of Immigration, and the Mabalacat City Police Station.

The seized illegal drugs were submitted to the PDEA Regional Office 3 laboratory for forensic examination and confirmation.

Charges for violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 (illegal importation and possession of dangerous drugs) were filed against the arrested suspects.

An investigation is ongoing to determine the possible drug trafficking network linked to the suspects.

Officials said the successful operation highlights the continued vigilance of law enforcement agencies in protecting the country’s borders from international drug trafficking.