MANILA, Philippines - Some 1.3 kilos of dried marijuana leaves placed in five plastic bags were found inside the package claimed by a man whom Bureau of Customs (BOC) authorities arrested at the Central Mail Exchange Center (CMEC) near the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Thursday.
The seized parcel was sent by a certain Minerva Thomas of Colton, California, according to Customs District III collector Ed Macabeo.
The claimant, identified as Tyrone Lopez, sent a representative on Thursday to claim the package, but BOC operatives refused to release the parcel unless Lopez himself would claim it.
The packs of marijuana, declared as personal effects, were concealed in the parcel when it arrived at the CMEC.
Aside from dried marijuana leaves, the package also contained a vial of cannabis oil, three grams of marijuana seeds, two backpacks, a tackle box, a cooler, fishing strings and shoes.
Macabeo said the suspect was still under the BOC’s custody as of yesterday, awaiting charges for violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.