BOC: Don’t use balikbayan boxes for drugs

MANILA, Philippines — Boxes containing items sent by overseas Filipino workers should not be used to smuggle illegal drugs as these are symbols of the OFWs’ love and sacrifice, according to the Bureau of Customs (BOC).

Twenty-eight kilos of dried marijuana valued at P39.6 million were found in two balikbayan boxes, which arrived at the Manila International Container Port last week, Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio said.

Vacuum-sealed in 108 pouches, the marijuana was shipped from Vancouver, Canada allegedly by Riza Munar through U Mac Forwarders Express Inc.

John Paul de Leon of San Mateo, Rizal is allegedly the intended recipient.

One of the boxes contained 56 pouches of marijuana and a plastic container with 60 unidentified tablets.

“I see balikbayan boxes as a symbol of the love and sacrifice of Filipino families so they can have a good life. For others to use these in the illicit trade of drugs that destroy lives and communities is horrifying,” Rubio said.

The boxes were declared to contain used household goods and personal effects.

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency confirmed the presence of illegal drugs during inspection of the boxes on Feb. 5.

The consignee, sender and recipient of the shipment will be probed for possible violation of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act and Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.