MANILA – Authorities recently confiscated approximately 28 kilograms of marijuana, valued at P39.6 million, from a shipment at the Manila International Container Port (MICP) earlier this week.
In a statement released on Friday (07 Feb 2025), the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) confirmed that the illegal cargo was discovered during an X-ray screening of a container, which raised suspicions due to questionable documentation.
On Wednesday, February 5, a Bureau of Customs inspector was tasked with opening and unloading the container, which held 419 “balikbayan” boxes. Of these, 30 were checked and revealed hidden marijuana.
The suspicious contents were subjected to a K9 inspection, which confirmed the presence of dried marijuana leaves. The total weight of the seized drug amounted to 28,296 grams, with a market value of P39,614,400.
PDEA’s investigation traced the shipment to Vancouver, Canada, and authorities are now pursuing legal action against the involved parties, including the shipper, receiver, and forwarding companies. They face potential charges under Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
Director Emerson Rosales of PDEA’s National Capital Region office reminded the public that importing illegal drugs into the Philippines carries severe penalties, including life imprisonment and fines between P500,000 and P10 million.
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