Authorities in the Philippines uncovered over P30 million worth of marijuana hidden in two balikbayan boxes sent from Ontario, Canada. This big discovery happened thanks to the sharp noses of drug-sniffing dogs from the Philippine National Police Drug Enforcement Group (PDEG).
The boxes contained over 20,000 grams of kush (a strong type of marijuana) cleverly hidden inside. These packages arrived in December, but a strong smell coming from them raised suspicions. A forwarding company flagged the shipment, reporting it as “unclaimed” baggage.
A Christmas Smuggling Plot
Police suspect the smugglers took advantage of the holiday rush to sneak the drugs into the country. PDEG Director Police Brigadier General Eleazar Matta explained that local drug markets for kush are under pressure because of the strict anti-drug measures in the Cordillera Region. Smugglers are now turning to countries where cannabis is legal or decriminalized, such as Canada, to source their supplies.
What’s Next?
The boxes were addressed to someone in Bulacan, but authorities have yet to identify the recipient. Investigators are working hard to trace the people behind this smuggling attempt.
This discovery is another example of how the Philippine National Police is cracking down on illegal drugs. While the sender and recipient remain unknown, PDEG is committed to tracking them down and stopping the spread of illegal substances in the country.
“We won’t let this happen under our watch,” said Matta confidently.
What do you think about this bold attempt to smuggle drugs into the country? Let us know in the comments below!
