MANILA — The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has intercepted an attempt to smuggle high-grade marijuana, or kush, concealed in balikbayan boxes, with the seized contraband valued at about ₱55 million.

The drugs were discovered during a non-intrusive inspection and subsequent 100% physical examination of a 40-foot container of consolidated balikbayan boxes from Long Beach, California. Two boxes flagged for verification yielded 75 sealed packs of kush hidden under sacks of rice. The illegal shipment weighed 39.325 kilograms and was estimated to be worth ₱55,055,000.

The operation was carried out in coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and other law enforcement partners. It came weeks after Customs also seized millions of pesos worth of shabu from the same consolidated shipment.

The BOC said the seizure violated Republic Act No. 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, in relation to Section 118 (Prohibited Importations) and Section 1113 (Property Subject to Seizure and Forfeiture) of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act.

BOC Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno lauded the joint effort, stressing the agency’s commitment to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to tighten border security and stop drug smuggling.

“The BOC will not allow our balikbayan boxes, symbols of love and care from Filipinos abroad, to be used as channels for illegal drugs,” Nepomuceno said.

Authorities said the successive operations underscore heightened vigilance to block the entry of narcotics into the country, in support of the government’s all-out campaign against illegal drugs.