Ecstasy pills, cannabis oil worth P3.86M concealed in foot massager, vape shells, candies seized

Bureau of Customs agents at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport confiscates P3.86 million worth of ecstasy pills and cannabis oil hidden in a foot massager, vape cartridges, and candy pouches on Tuesday, December 13, 2022. Photo from BOC

MANILA, Philippines — Bureau of Customs (BOC) agents at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) have intercepted P3.86 million worth of ecstasy pills and cannabis oil hidden in a foot massager, vape cartridges, and candy pouches.

The BOC said the illegal drugs were found in four air parcels on Tuesday following an x-ray inspection, sniffing by K9 dogs, and eventually a physical examination. The illegal drugs have since been turned over to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) for further investigation.

“Physical examination of the four parcels yielded 2,040 pieces of ecstasy tablets concealed in a foot massager, and 317 cartridges and 14 candies with cannabis oil. The total estimated street value is P3.86 million,” it said in a statement.

Bureau of Customs agents at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport confiscates P3.86 million worth of ecstasy pills and cannabis oil hidden in a foot massager, vape cartridges, and candy pouches on Tuesday, December 13, 2022. Photo from BOC

Bureau of Customs agents at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport confiscates P3.86 million worth of ecstasy pills and cannabis oil hidden in a foot massager, vape cartridges, and candy pouches on Tuesday, December 13, 2022. Photo from BOC

According to BOC-Naia, the first parcel sent from France contained the foot massager with 2,040 ecstasy tablets. The consignee of this package had been identified and was located in Pasig City.

The second parcel, which contained 47 vape shells and 14 candies with cannabis oil, was sent from the United States and was supposed to be delivered to a consignee in Paranaque City.

The remaining two parcels that also came from the US each contained 150 and 120 vape cartridges of cannabis oil which were supposed to be sent to Paco and Malate in Manila.

Bureau of Customs agents at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport confiscates P3.86 million worth of ecstasy pills and cannabis oil hidden in a foot massager, vape cartridges, and candy pouches on Tuesday, December 13, 2022. Photo from BOC

Bureau of Customs agents at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport confiscates P3.86 million worth of ecstasy pills and cannabis oil hidden in a foot massager, vape cartridges, and candy pouches on Tuesday, December 13, 2022. Photo from BOC

The BOC said that since they have already turned over the pieces of evidence and the matter to the PDEA, the arrest and filing of appropriate charges against people involved in the shipment of the illegal drugs will now be up to the drug law enforcement agency’s discretion.

“The illegal drugs are now under the custody of the PDEA for further investigation and possible charges of violation of Republic Act (RA) No. 9165, the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, and RA 10863, or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act,” it noted.

The BOC said its NAIA station had carried out 36 drug busts from January this year, confiscating around P443.26 million worth of illegal drugs.

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