Photo courtesy of BOC-NAIA/Facebook.
The Bureau of Customs at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (BOC-NAIA), together with the NAIA Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group, reported Thursday the interception of medical products suspected to contain illegal substances from two Filipino passengers arriving from Thailand.
The operation was conducted on February 3, after x-ray scans of the passengers’ luggage showed items consistent with illegal drugs. Physical inspection revealed 199.5 milliliters of yellowish liquid suspected to be marijuana oil and 60 grams of yellowish solid substance suspected to be marijuana balm, with a combined estimated street value of PhP7,170.
Customs authorities reminded the public that importation of products claimed to be for medical use remains restricted without the proper permits and clearances from relevant agencies.
The passengers and the seized goods were found to be in violation of Republic Act No. 9165, the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, and Republic Act No. 10863, the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act, and were turned over to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) for inquest proceedings.
District Collector Atty. Yasmin Mapa stressed that medical claims do not exempt substances from import controls. “The proper authorization is mandatory even for medical use, and without which, the importation of such items remains restricted by the authorities,” she said.
Authorities urged travelers to secure proper permits for any medical or pharmaceutical products to avoid violations and ensure compliance with customs regulations.
