In a significant crackdown on illegal imports, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) in Pasay City successfully intercepted six parcels containing high-grade marijuana, known as kush, with a street value of PHP4.5 million. The seizure occurred at the Central Mail Exchange Center on February 6, 2025. The parcels, originating from Thailand and weighing a total of 3.23 kg, were flagged during a routine inspection by the BOC at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA). The confiscated drugs were handed over to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) for further investigation and legal action against those involved, under the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 and the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act. BOC Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio emphasized the agency’s commitment to safeguarding the nation’s borders from the dangers of illegal drugs, in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s focus on border security and public safety. The operation was conducted in collaboration with PDEA and the NAIA Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group (NAIA-IADITG). In a separate incident, the BOC at the Port of Legazpi seized 45 bales of used clothing, valued at approximately PHP291,000, which were intercepted by the Philippine Coast Guard in Sorsogon province. The first operation involved 33 bales, worth PHP231,000, found on a truck en route from Caloocan City to Masbate, while the second operation uncovered 12 bales, valued at PHP60,000, on a public bus at the Port of Matnog. The owners of the clothing failed to provide legal documentation, leading to seizure and forfeiture proceedings under the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act and a national policy prohibiting the import of used clothing.
Customs Seizes High-Value Kush and Used Clothing in Separate Operations
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