Authorities at Clark International Airport seized nearly ₱70 million worth of suspected marijuana and arrested three Chinese nationals in a joint anti-drug operation, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) reported.
In a statement, the BOC–Port of Clark, in coordination with the Clark Inter-Agency Task Force Against Illegal Drugs (CRK-IATFAID), intercepted the illegal shipment after the suspects arrived from Bangkok, Thailand and were preparing to board a connecting flight to Hong Kong.
Customs personnel flagged the passengers during routine profiling and directed them to undergo X-ray screening. Suspicious images detected during the scan prompted a full physical inspection of their hand-carry baggage.
The inspection led to the discovery of 99 transparent vacuum-sealed plastic packs containing dried leaves and fruiting tops suspected to be marijuana, commonly known as “kush.”
The illegal drugs, recovered from the three hand-carried bags, weighed about 15,470 grams and had an estimated standard value of ₱69,799,950.
K9 units from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) later confirmed the presence of illegal drugs.
The suspects were immediately arrested and informed of their rights for violation of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
A Warrant of Seizure and Detention was also issued by District Collector Jairus S. Reyes for violations of Sections 118(g), 119(d), and 1113 paragraphs (f) and (l)(2) of Republic Act 10863, or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act, in relation to RA 9165.
BOC Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno said the agency remains firm in its efforts to stop the entry of illegal drugs into the country.
“The Bureau of Customs is not only actively enforcing its mandate but is also delivering on President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s firm order to dismantle smuggling networks and strengthen the nation’s trade gateways,” Nepomuceno said.
The BOC–Port of Clark reiterated its commitment to protecting the country’s borders and intensifying operations against drug smuggling through the nation’s ports of entry.
