The arrests were made during separate anti-drug operations carried out by the PDEA Special Enforcement Service, Regional Office-National Capital Region-Southern District Office, Investigation Service, and Taguig City Police on the night of March 14, 2024.
Confiscated from the two suspects were cannabis oil, marijuana kush, and vaping devices amounting to P842,000.
Recently, the PDEA and the Bureau of Customs intercepted 18 balikbayan boxes containing cannabis oil and marijuana kush hidden inside e-cigarettes at the Port Area, Manila. The haul is estimated to be worth P337 million.
The PDEA has warned the public not to purchase e-cigarettes containing marijuana, as they are illegal and harmful to health.
"The selling and smuggling of marijuana oil cartridges indicate that there is a growing domestic demand for these products. Considering that the vaping culture is predominantly popular among the youth, these cannabis extracts can be passed off as a legitimate vape aerosol in the market and sold to the younger patrons," stated the PDEA.
The PDEA has further tightened its monitoring of both physical and online vape shops, due to the possibility that these outlets might be selling e-cigarettes laced with marijuana.
(Images from the PDEA)
