By Ferdinand Patinio

PROHIBITED DRUGS. The inbound parcels containing dried leaves suspected to be marijuana. The illegal drugs, worth PHP56 million and weighing around 37,968 grams, were intercepted from Feb. 3 to 6, 2026. (BOC photo)

MANILA – About 126 abandoned inbound parcels containing dried leaves suspected to be marijuana or “kush” were intercepted in a series of operations.

In a statement, Bureau of Customs (BOC) Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno said the illegal drugs worth PHP56 million and weighing around 37,968 grams were intercepted from Feb. 3 to 6.

The prohibited items were concealed in parcels declared as ordinary consumer goods, including clothing, magazines, and other household items.

All seized items were secured and turned over to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) for proper disposition and further investigation.

The interdictions constitute violations of Republic Act No. 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002) and Republic Act No. 10863 (Customs Modernization and Tariff Act).

“By working closely with our partner agencies, we are denying criminal syndicates the opportunity to use our ports and courier channels to move illegal drugs into the country,” Nepomuceno said.

Nepomuceno said this brings the total value of illegal drugs seized to more than PHP377 million this year so far.

The operations were conducted by the BOC-Ninoy Aquino International Airport, the PDEA and the NAIA Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group. (PNA)