SUBIC FREPORT — The Bureau of Customs–Port of Subic and law enforcement partners uncovered from the distressed yacht docked here an additional 123.91 kilograms of high-end kush worth P204.44 million raising the total value of the drug haul to P366.65 million.
The latest discovery was made after a composite team from the BOC, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, Department of Justice, Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine National Police, and Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority Law Enforcement Department conducted a thorough examination of the vessel.
On Sept. 2, authorities seized suspected kush weighing 89 kilograms with an estimated street value of approximately P106.8 million discovered in the engine room of the Taiwan-bound Malaysian-flagged yacht docked at the Subic Bay Yacht Club where it was brought after it encountered engine trouble at sea and sent a distress signal on Aug. 28.
With the latest find, the total haul recovered from the vessel now stands at 198 packages of high-end kush, with a combined estimated street value of P366.65 million.
BOC-Port of Subic district collector Geniefelle P. Lagmay said the latest discovery showed that the agency’s work did not end with the initial seizure.
“This additional discovery shows that our work does not stop with the initial apprehension,” Lagmay said. “We will continue to thoroughly examine and strip vessels when necessary to ensure that every possible hiding place [for illegal drugs] is checked.”
For his part, BOC Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno said: “This operation demonstrates that our enforcement efforts do not end with the initial seizure. Patuloy kaming makikipagtulungan nang malapit sa ating mga kasamahan sa pagpapatupad ng batas at magsasagawa ng mga masusing inspeksyon upang matiyak na walang mga iligal na droga ang makakarating sa ating mga komunidad.”
The seized items were turned over to PDEA for proper custody and disposition in accordance with existing procedures. The BOC and its partner agencies will continue to undertake the necessary enforcement and investigative measures in connection with the seizure. Punto News Team/BOC-Subic
