FOILED. The Bureau of Customs seizes some PHP29 million worth of suspected marijuana and kush oil hidden in two “balikbayan” boxes from Canada, according to a report on Monday (March 10, 2025). The illegal items have an estimated total street value of PHP29.38 million. (Photo courtesy of BOC)
MANILA – The Bureau of Customs (BOC) on Monday said it intercepted some PHP29 million worth of suspected marijuana and kush oil concealed in two large boxes at the Manila International Container Port.
The BOC-Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) said the “balikbayan” boxes, the kind used by returning citizens, from Canada were initially declared to contain used household goods and personal belongings consigned to a residence in General Trias, Cavite.
CIIS Director Verne Enciso said the boxes already underwent 100 percent physical examination.
“We received derogatory information about these two balikbayan boxes and immediately processed the proper documents to have them inspected. The examination found a total of 20,990 grams of kush and one liter of liquid substance we suspect to be kush oil,” he said in a news release.
Enciso said the 43 vacuum-sealed plastic pouches of kush and one liter of liquid substance have an estimated total street value of PHP29.38 million.
BOC Commissioner Bien Rubio denounced the modus of smuggling illegal drugs through “balikbayan” boxes, lamenting how it degrades the “very Filipino” act of sending gifts to their loved ones.
“You know, balikbayan boxes are very Filipino. This is ingrained into our culture and our tradition that wherever we are, we send balikbayan boxes back to our loved ones here in the Philippines because it shows we care. Using them for something illegal is an insult to our hardworking OFWs (overseas Filipino workers) and their families who look forward to receiving even the simplest gifts contained in these boxes,” he said.
The samples of the suspected marijuana were turned over to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency for a confirmatory test. (PNA)
