Authorities intercepted parcels containing suspected marijuana kush valued at about P5.6 million at the Central Mail Exchange Center near Ninoy Aquino International Airport on Feb. 14, officials said.
The NAIA Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group said four abandoned parcels entering the country were misdeclared as food items, clothing, books, accessories and similar goods. The packages originated from Thailand and Canada.
The Bureau of Customs discovered the suspected illegal drugs through cargo X-ray screening followed by manual inspection. Authorities said the parcels contained about 3,776 grams of suspected marijuana kush.
The confiscated items were immediately turned over to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency for confirmation, documentation and inventory.
PBGen Dionisio Bartolome Jr., director of the Philippine National Police Aviation Security Group, said attempts to smuggle illegal drugs into the country may continue but authorities are intensifying security operations.
He said coordination among members of the NAIA Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group aims to prevent such shipments from reaching intended recipients.
Officials did not release details on possible recipients or suspects and said investigations are ongoing.
The seized parcels remain in the custody of authorities as part of evidence for possible charges under existing drug laws.
The operation formed part of routine inspection and monitoring of inbound mail and cargo at the airport facility in Pasay City.
Authorities reiterated their commitment to continue strengthening airport security and interdiction efforts to prevent illegal drugs from entering the country through air cargo and mail systems.
