P30M marijuana from Canada seized in balikbayan boxes

Authorities seized over P30 million worth of marijuana concealed in two balikbayan boxes originating from Ontario, Canada.

The illegal drugs, weighing approximately 20,000 grams and contained in 40 heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets, were discovered hidden among canned goods, rice, and clothing.

Two warehouse managers of UMAC Forwarders Express, Inc. turned over the suspicious boxes to the Philippine National Police Drug Enforcement Group (PNP-DEG) in Taguig City.

Drug-sniffing dogs from the PNP-DEG initially alerted authorities to the presence of the kush within the packages.

The shipment arrived in December and was flagged by the forwarding company due to a strong odor, leading to it being left unclaimed.

Authorities believe the senders exploited the Christmas rush to facilitate the smuggling of the illegal drugs into the Philippines.

PNP-DEG Director Police Brigadier General Eleazar Matta suggested that strict enforcement in the Cordillera Region may have pushed smugglers to source marijuana from countries where its use is legalized or decriminalized.