CLARK FREEPORT – A claimant to a shipment containing 2,378 grams of kush worth P3,923,700 was nabbed by joint operatives of the Bureau of Customs-Port of Clark and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency on April 13 in Sta. Cruz, Manila.
After undergoing usual K9 sniffing and X-ray scanning procedures, the illegal drugs were discovered in five tin cans during a physical examination on April 12 from a shipment from California, USA labelled “Tevana Green Herbal Tea.”
Representative samples were then taken and turned over to PDEA for chemical laboratory analysis, which confirmed the presence of Tetrahydrocannabinol/Marijuana, a dangerous drug under the RA 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002).
On April 13, BOC and PDEA conducted a controlled delivery operation to the consignee’s address in Sta. Cruz, Manila, which led to the arrest of a 27-year-old male claimant.
District Collector John Simon will issue a warrant of seizure and detention against the subject shipment for violating Section 118 (g), 119 (d), and 1113 par. f, I, and l (3 and 4) of RA 10863 (Customs Modernization and Tariff Act) in relation to RA 9165. A criminal case will be filed against the apprehended claimant for violating RA 9165.
“Our anti-drug smuggling effort once again resulted in success. We recognize the vigilance of our personnel and the support of PDEA in our drug apprehensions,” Simon said in a statement. “The Port of Clark will continue to further reinforce and maximize our capabilities to prevent the entry of illegal drugs into the country,” he added.
“The BOC ensures that illegal drugs do not enter our borders through our intensified anti-illegal drug measures. Our unprecedented performance in border protection and revenue collection proves that BOC personnel are committed to the directives of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.,” Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio said. PR/BOC-Clark