BOC and PDEA agents inspect the vape and gummy candies with cannabis confiscated at Central Mail Exchange Center in Pasay City on January 31, 2022. Photo from BOC
MANILA, Philippines — Authorities have confiscated gummy candies and vape cartridges infused with cannabis at the Central Mail Exchange Center (CMEC) in Pasay City, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) said Thursday.
According to the BOC, joint operatives of the BOC-Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia), Philippine Drug Enforcement Authority (PDEA), and Naia Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group have arrested the claimant of the package at CMEC at about 12:30 p.m. on January 31.
The BOC said in a release that the package declared as “personal gifts and clothing” contained “gummies infused with cannabis and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) vape cartridges” worth P85,299.
It also identified the arrested claimant as Elvira Vicente, who presented an authorization letter from the consignee in claiming the shipment from Canada.
According to the bureau, the illegal items were discovered during a physical examination that was witnessed by the claimant, BOC, and PhilPost representatives.
“Inside the EMS (Express Mail Service) package, along with chocolates, cosmetics, and clothing, undeclared 20 pouches of Cannabis-Infused Gummy and 49 THC Vape Cartridges were found,” the BOC said.
PDEA warned that cannabis, THC, or any of its derivatives are classified as dangerous drugs under Republic Act No. 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 and that the unauthorized importation, sale, possession, cultivation, and use of these products are punishable under the law.
The BOC said the arrested claimant and the seized illegal items were turned over to the PDEA.
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