By Glazyl Y. Masculino
BACOLOD CITY — Authorities intercepted a package containing PHP1.6 million worth of dried marijuana leaves and kush in a warehouse of an undisclosed courier firm at the Reclamation Area in Barangay 10 here on Thursday, Dec. 5.
Investigation Agent 1 Alvin Clemente, team leader of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)-6 Regional Special Enforcement Team (RSET) Bravo, said they acted on a tip regarding a parcel with illegal drugs set to arrive that day.
The PDEA Seaport Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group (SIADITG) recovered 14 bricks of dried marijuana leaves worth PHP1,680,000 and two vacuum-sealed plastic bags containing eight grams of kush valued at PHP10,400.
Authorities also confiscated 20 disposable vapes believed to contain marijuana oil, Clemente added.
He explained that kush is a high-grade type of cannabis known to cause hallucinations.
The drugs were reportedly sent from Manila to Bacolod City. Clemente declined to provide further details about the consignee, citing the ongoing validation and investigation.
This is the first time such a type of cannabis has been confiscated in the city, Clemente said.
Authorities are continuing their investigation to trace the origin and intended recipients of the seized drugs.
Following the incident, Clemente assured that PDEA is ramping up monitoring and inspections at seaports to prevent the entry of illegal drugs into Bacolod City and Negros Occidental.
He said PDEA has an active partnership with courier firms to strengthen efforts against drug trafficking.
The agency emphasized that interdiction operations like this are crucial in combating the entry of illegal drugs into Western Visayas, particularly through maritime routes.
