The consignee on record of P16.8 million worth of marijuana that came from abroad was arrested Saturday during a controlled delivery operation undertaken by authorities.
Elements of the Bureau of Customs, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, and the NAIA Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group arrested the alleged consignee in Antipolo City.
The controlled delivery was undertaken with the discovery of the contraband at the Pair Cargo warehouse in Pasay City, the BoC Port of NAIA told airport reporters.
The kush or high-grade marijuana was hidden inside a balikbayan box from California, United States. It was declared to contain personal effects.
When subjected to X-ray and physical inspections, the parcel was discovered to contain 12 grams of dried marijuana leaves that were subjected to a lab test by PDEA.
The consignee is facing charges of violating the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act and the Customs Modernization Drugs Act.
BoC-NAIA district collector Carmelita Talusan said they will continue to be vigilant in ensuring the interception of contraband, especially illegal drugs, coming from abroad.