Cannabis-laced vapes, ‘kush’ worth P4M seized in Clark

HOT GOODS The Bureau of Customs (BOC) says a parcel declared by the shipper from California in the United States as an “accessory” landed in the Philippines on May 25, yielded 2.13 kilos of “kush” or high-grade marijuana and 156 assorted cannabis-infused disposable vapes. —Photos courtesy of BOC-Port of Clark

MANILA, Philippines—Customs agents at the Port of Clark in Pampanga province seized P4 million worth of “kush” and disposable vapes infused with marijuana as the Bureau of Customs (BOC) stepped up its operations against the smuggling of addictive products and illegal drugs.

The BOC on Wednesday said the parcel, which was declared an “accessory,” arrived in the country on May 25 from California in the United States.

READ: P3.9M ‘kush’ intercepted at Clark port, suspect arrested in Manila

It contained 2.13 kilos of high-grade marijuana, or kush, as well as 156 pieces of assorted cannabis-infused disposable vapes.

After the inspection personnel monitored the “unusual” X-ray image of the parcel, a physical examination resulted in the discovery of illegal herbs and assorted disposable vape cartridges.

According to the BOC, the samples were turned over to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) for chemical laboratory analysis, which confirmed the presence of marijuana, identified as a dangerous drug under Republic Act No. 9165.

A warrant of seizure and detention was issued against the shipment for violation of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act in relation to the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, as amended, the BOC said.

READ: ‘Balikbayan’ boxes yield P102 million worth of drugs

In April, the bureau seized P102 million worth of suspected kush and smuggled vapes containing marijuana at the Manila International Container Port.

Some 82 kilos of suspected kush and 1,881 pieces of disposable distillate vape pens with cannabis content were found inside five “balikbayan” boxes that came from Thailand, the BOC said on April 3.

Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio lamented how the boxes, which used to symbolize the Filipino families’ “love and longing for their loved ones,” were being used by individuals to smuggle in illegal drugs, vapes and other items.

A few weeks later, the BOC on April 29 announced another confiscation of 2.5 kilos of marijuana and 70 pieces of vape pens containing cannabis oil valued at P3.6 million.

The items were concealed inside five parcels declared as car seat covers, coffee mugs and books from the United States and Canada.

In that same month, PDEA warned the public about the proliferation of vapes that contained marijuana oil, after the agency monitored an uptick in the presence of the product nationwide.

The agency said the spread of the products could expose “unknowing customers” to the addictive components of marijuana, which could pose health risks.

Growing demand

“The selling and smuggling of marijuana oil cartridges indicate that there is a growing domestic demand for these products,” PDEA said in a statement.

“Considering that the vaping culture is predominantly popular among the youth, PDEA is wary that these cannabis extracts can be passed off as a legitimate vape aerosol in the market and sold to the younger patrons,” it added.

Wednesday marked the start of the mandatory certification for imported and locally manufactured vape products, as the government ramped up its efforts for better regulation of the merchandise.

The Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Regulation Act, or Republic Act No. 11900, lapsed into law in July 2022, and its implementing rules and regulations were released in December of the same year.

From January to May this year, the Department of Trade and Industry confiscated P25.87 million worth of illegal vape products.

“Nearly halfway through the year, the significant rise in confiscated illegal vapes demonstrates our unwavering commitment to safeguard Filipino consumers, especially our youth,” Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual said in a statement last week.