Authorities have arrested a claimant of a package declared as “personal gifts and clothing” containing gummies infused with cannabis and THC Vape Cartridges with an estimated value of P85,299.12.
Bureau of Customs at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (BOC NAIA), Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), and NAIA Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group (NAIA-IADITG) conducted the operation in Central Mail Exchange Center (CMEC) at around 12:30 p.m. last Jan. 31.
The arrested claimant was identified as “Elvira Vicente” who presented an authorization letter from the consignee, a certain “Vincent Castillo,” in claiming the subject package shipped from Canada.
The illegal goods were discovered during physical examination at the CMEC window witnessed by the claimant, BOC, and Philippine Postal Corporation (PhilPost) representatives.
Inside the Express Mail Service (EMS) package, along with chocolates, cosmetics, and clothing, undeclared 20 pouches of Cannabis Infused Gummy and 49 THC Vape Cartridges were found.
Initial field test conducted by the Customs Anti-Illegal Drug Task Force (CAIDTF NAIA) showed that the gummies and the vape cartridges contain cannabinoid, a chemical compound found in cannabis or also known as marijuana. Thereafter, the seized gummies and vape cartridges were immediately submitted to PDEA chemical laboratory for further quantitative and qualitative tests.
PDEA reminds the public that cannabis, THC, or any derivatives in any form containing said substance are classified as a dangerous drug under Republic Act No. 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, while the unauthorized importation, sale, possession, cultivation, and use thereof remain punishable under the law.
The arrested claimant and seized illegal goods were turned over to the PDEA for the institution of inquest proceedings for violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act in relation to Section 118 or Prohibited Importation and Section 1401 or Unlawful Importation of the Republic Act 10863, otherwise known as the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA).
The Bureau of Customs, under the leadership of Commissioner Rey Leonardo B. Guerrero, remains vigilant against the entry of prohibited drugs and other contraband in all airports and seaports nationwide. (BOC) -ag
