Authorities uncovered over PHP 30 million worth of marijuana concealed in two balikbayan boxes shipped from Ontario, Canada. The Philippine National Police Drug Enforcement Group (PDEG) detected the illegal drugs using drug-sniffing dogs, according to a report on 24 Oras Weekend.
The shipment, flagged by the forwarding company due to a strong odor, arrived in December but remained unclaimed. Inside the boxes, over 20,000 grams of kush were discovered.
“These packages raised red flags and were left unclaimed,” said PDEG Director Police Brigadier General Eleazar Matta.
Investigators believe the senders exploited the Christmas rush to smuggle the drugs into the country. Matta noted that stricter enforcement in the Cordillera Region has forced local dealers to turn to foreign suppliers, particularly from areas where cannabis is legalized or decriminalized.
The boxes were addressed to a recipient in Bulacan, who remains unidentified. PDEG continues to investigate the case.
