BOC seizes mail-order marijuana

MANILA, Philippines - Bureau of Customs (BOC) agents confiscated yesterday around 206 grams of allegedly high-grade marijuana sent through the postal office from the United States.

BOC-Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service-Postal Unit (CIIS-PU) chief Alvin Enciso said the package was shipped by Jonathan Matthews from Washington to Thelma Murillo. He said they have yet to verify the consignee’s name.

Enciso said the envelope contained eight pouches, each containing a different kind of high-grade marijuana labeled purple diesel, green crock, 74th mixed, stav berry, Alaskan thunder f*ck, train wreck, clase and blue dream. He said the street value of the drugs would be around P123,600.

“Considering the small quantity and variety of the seized items, there is a possibility that whoever sent these suspected marijuana were merely sending ‘samples’ to their clients. May be they wanted their clients to try the different kinds before they place their orders,” Enciso said.

The package arrived last Feb. 26 and first passed through the Central Mail Exchange Center in Pasay City and the Central Post Office in Lawton, Manila, where it was sent to the Quezon City Postal Office. 

A representative of the consignee reportedly told authorities that the package contained ingredients used in manufacturing perfume.

On Dec. 27, 2011, the BOC seized some P100,000 worth of low-grade shabu – about 10 to 15 grams – concealed in a brown envelope and mailed to Makati City, reportedly from the United Kingdom.