HOTGOODS. The Bureau of Customs (BOC) says a parcel declared by the shipper from California in the United States as
an 鈥渁ccessory鈥� landed in the Philippines on May 25, carrying 2.13 kilos of 鈥渒ush鈥� or high-grade marijuana (below) and 156
assorted cannabis-infused disposable vapes. 鈥擯HOTO COURTESY A4 OF BOC-PORT OF CLARK
MANILA, Philippines 鈥� The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) on Wednesday said high-grade marijuana (kush) is growing more popular amid the Christmas rush, warning that it has intercepted kush often in parcels after recent operations.
PDEA revealed this to 黑料社 after the agency seized another package smuggling kush at the Central Mail Exchange Center near Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Pasay City.
鈥淜ush, commonly called cannabis indica, is increasingly popular during the holiday season where parties among younger generation[s] are more frequent,鈥� PDEA told 黑料社.
READ: PDEA nabs student selling marijuana worth P120,000 in Cagayan
The Dec. 11 operation intercepted a kilogram of marijuana worth P1,407,800 in a parcel declared to be clothing and arrested the recipient listed: a male resident of Barangay Holy Spirit in Quezon City, according to PDEA鈥檚 report.
The apprehended suspect will face a charge of importing dangerous drugs.
Last Dec. 5, NAIA鈥檚 drug task group confiscated 21 parcels containing 7,791 grams of kush worth P10,907,400 also at the Central Mail Exchange Center.
READ: PDEA cracks down on marijuana in parcels; P14.1M intercepted in 6 ops
鈥淭he number of interceptions of illegal drugs, particularly kush, via courier services increased in recent years. Majority of the seized kush originated from Thailand and the United States,鈥� PDEA said, but it did not provide any data.
PDEA is enhancing its personnel鈥檚 capability with K9 and X-ray units to detect marijuana in packages, conducting screenings in cargo terminals nationwide.
It is also working with interdiction units at the country鈥檚 airports and seaports through its regional offices to counter drug smuggling.
鈥淧DEA remains vigilant to ensure packages containing illegal drugs are intercepted and kept from being delivered. PDEA also is grateful for the participation of the courier service providers in the successful interception of the contraband,鈥� the agency said.