P38.8-million worth of smuggled marijuana seized at MICP in Manila

(Photo courtesy of BOC)

MANILA, Philippines — Around P38.8 million worth of dried marijuana leaves were intercepted by authorities at the Manila International Container Port (MICP) in Tondo, Manila last week.

Bureau of Customs (BOC) said the narcotics were found inside a shipment declared to contain plastic tableware, kitchenware, blankets, men’s shoes and other items.

READ: BOC intercepts P102-M worth of marijuana, vape products at MICP

The agency received a tip saying that the shipment contained illegal drugs, as well as misdeclared and undeclared items from the sender.

The sender was identified as a certain Wilma Bulahagui.

A certain Erickson Bulahagui was the receiver.

“Initial x-ray scanning of the shipment last July 31 and August 1 resulted in the detection of suspected dried marijuana inside 78 boxes,” CIIS Director Verne Enciso said in a statement issued on Sunday.

“This was further confirmed during the 100 percent physical examination last August 2, wherein a total of 99 pieces of heat-sealed packages were found to contain marijuana,” he added.

The narcotics found inside the first three boxes have an estimated worth of P38.8 million.

“The physical examination of the remaining 75 boxes will continue on Monday, August 5,” the bureau said.

BOC learned about the illegal drugs after the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service at the MICP “requested for the 100 percent physical examination for a shipment consigned to Philippians 4:19 Export and Import Gen. Mdse. last May 10 after receiving derogatory information about the shipment’s contents.”

The items were returned to the container van, now sealed and padlocked for safekeeping.

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency will conduct an inventory and sample-taking for confirmatory testing of the products.