UMABOT sa P29.499,400 halaga ng kush o high grade marijuana ang nasabat ng Bureau of Customs (BOC) at Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, na tinangkang ipuslit sa Manila International Container Port (MICP), mula sa Thailand.

Ayon sa report na ipinarating sa tanggapan ni Custom Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio, ipinag-utos ni District Collector Carmelita M. Talusan na idaan sa X-ray examination at comprehensive 100% physical examination ang kahina-hinalang kargamento na idineklarang mga gamit sa bahay at piyesa ng motor.

Nabatid na agad na pinaghinalaan ng Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS), sa pamumuno ni Field Station Chief Alvin Enciso sa MICP, at mga kinatawan ng Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), na ilegal na kontrabando ang laman ng kahina-hinalang parcel mula sa Thailand.

Sa physical examination ay tumambad sa mga awtoridad ang 21,071 gramo ng pinatuyong high grade marijuana o kush, na may street value na umabot sa P29,499,400.

“This importation of marijuana or kush constitutes a violation of Republic Act No. 9165 also known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, as well as Sections 119, 1400, and 1113 of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act,” ani Comm. Rubio.

Nabatid na tuloy-tuloy ang isinasagawang verification and investigation sa mga bagaheng kasabay ng kuwestyunableng shipment kung may ikinukubli bang illicit substances o mga pinagbabawal na bagay.

Pinapurihan naman ni Commissioner Bienvenido Y. Rubio ang tiyaga at sipag ng mga operatiba ng BOC.

“The success of this operation is due to the diligence of our dedicated officers in the bureau. I would like to commend MICP led by District Collector Talusan for their collective efforts and unwavering commitment in safeguarding our borders and protecting the welfare of our citizens against the harmful effects of illegal drugs.”

(JESSE KABEL RUIZ)