By Junex Doronio

MANILA — Stressing that marijuana still poses health risks to users, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) has warned the public against the use of vaping products that contain marijuana oil.

PDEA issued the warning to the public as it has noticed the upsurge of marijuana-laced vapes in their recent anti-illegal drugs operations.

“PDEA warns the public not to patronize marijuana-laced e-cigarettes because of the health hazards involved, and most importantly the law explicitly prohibits it. The proliferation of these illicit items can also expose unknowing customers to be addicted to marijuana,” the PDEA said in its statement over the weekend.

To recall, last March 14, two alleged drug personalities were arrested in separate anti-drug operations in Taguig City.

Authorities have seized cannabis oil and marijuana kush, along with assorted vaping devices, with an estimated value of P842,000.

Last week, PDEA agents and the Bureau of Customs (BOC) operatives also intercepted 18 balikbayan boxes containing cannabis oil and marijuana kush hidden inside e-cigarettes worth P337 million at the Port Area, Manila.

“The selling and smuggling of marijuana oil cartridges indicate that there is a growing domestic demand for these products. Considering that the vaping culture is predominantly popular among the youth, PDEA is wary that these cannabis extracts can pass off as a legitimate vape aerosol in the market and sold to the younger patrons,” the agency said.

The country’s cutting-edge anti-illegal drugs campaign also said it would strengthen its monitoring to detect physical and online vape shops selling cannabis-flavored e-cigarettes and other related paraphernalia.

It has sought support from concerned regulating bodies to come up with tighter measures against vape stores, as well as retailers and importers, to prevent people from using prohibited substances.

(el Amigo/MNM)

By Junex Doronio

MANILA – Despite being neatly concealed inside balikbayan boxes, alert operatives of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) foiled an attempt to smuggle into the country dried high-grade marijuana or “kush” from Thailand estimated to be worth P76-million.

On Friday (01 Mar 2024), the BOC said in its press statement that the Manila International Container Port (MICP) immediately issued an alert order after its Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) received derogatory information about a certain shipment that allegedly contained illegal drugs and misdeclared or underdeclared items.

“Over the past year, the BOC has consistently demonstrated dedication in thwarting the infiltration of controlled substances across our borders,” Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio said.

With the help of PDEA, Customs operatives seized the shipment upon determining that it contained “kush” with an estimated value of P76 million found inside five balikbayan boxes, consisting of two smaller boxes.

The BOC claimed that the subject shipment underwent a 100% physical examination on Tuesday (27 February 2024), revealing approximately 63,360 grams of dried marijuana or “kush” that has a standard drug price of P1,200.00 per gram.

“The commendable success of this operation sends a resounding message that we will not be stopped in our fight to protect the nation from the dangers of illegal drugs,” Rubio added.

(el Amigo/MNM)

By Liezelle Soriano

MANILA — The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) disclosed on Monday (29 Jan 2024) that President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. was never on their drug watchlist.
This was after the allegations of former president Rodrigo Duterte, claiming that the agency showed Marcos’ name in the supposed drug list.

“Based on all the foregoing facts, the PDEA asserts that President Marcos Jr. is not and was never in its watchlist,” the PDEA said in a statement, contradicting Duterte.

Duterte said that the alleged evidence was shown to him when he was mayor of Davao.

Based on records, the PDEA said that the agency was activated on July 30, 2002, when it established its National Drug Information System (NDIS), which serves as an intelligence database of all drug personalities that is responsible for gathering inputs from law enforcement and intelligence counterparts.

The PDEA also emphasized that President Marcos was never included in its NDIS since the time it was created in 2002 and up to the present.

(el Amigo/MNM)