P17.6M high-grade marijuana seized at Clark

ANTI-NARCOTICS operatives seized 10.4 kilos of kush or high-grade marijuana worth P17.16 million at the Clark Freeport Zone in Pampanga last Monday, a police official reported yesterday.

Brig. Gen. Christopher Abrahano, director of the PNP Aviation Security Group (AVSEGROUP), said the illegal drugs were found inside two crates which were declared containing sofa sets.

“The shipment came from Bangkok (Thailand). We have identified the consignee in the Philippines but we will not reveal yet who is the consignee (pending further investigation),” Abrahano told reporters.

He said the contraband was seized by personnel of the Clark Drug Interdiction Task Group at around 2 p.m. The task group is composed of various law enforcement agencies, including the PNP.

“No one was arrested but the consignee is (the) subject of our investigation… What I can say is the consignee is Filipino. At this point in time, we cannot reveal the circumstances of the consignee,” said Abrahano.

In a statement, the AVSEGROUP said the shipment was “flagged” by the Bureau of Customs (BOC) during an X-ray inspection.

“A decisive investigation ensued, including a paneling operation where a narcotics detection dog alerted authorities to the presence of illegal substances,” the AVSEGROUP said.

Subsequent inspection resulted in the discovery of 23 transparent plastic bags containing the kush in the crates.

AVSEGROUP said the consignee, who it said is from Hermosa, Bataan, will be charged with violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.