PDEA signs MOU with Lazada, Shopee against drug trafficking

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with online shopping sites Lazada and Shopee on Tuesday to help prevent the use of electronic commerce platforms and courier services by drug traffickers.

PDEA said it has long seen the vulnerability of the country’s mail and parcel system to the smuggling of contraband like illegal drugs. The agency said it had seized millions worth of illegal drugs in more than 100 mail and parcel interdiction operations from 2013 to 2017.

“The popularity of e-commerce — the buying and selling of goods and services through internet-based platforms — further boosted the demand for courier services,” PDEA said in a statement.

For instance, in August last year, 12 kilograms of shabu worth P81.6 million were seized in a courier service’s regional headquarters in Mandaue City, Cebu, according to the anti-drug body.

Aside from this latest memorandum, PDEA also signed a memorandum of agreement with courier service platforms Lalamove and Lala App Philippines in November last, J&T Express in December last year, and Wallstreet Courier Services Inc. or Ninja Van in June 2021.

“The MOU with Lazada and Shopee – two household names for e-commerce in the Philippines – is the latest measure implemented by PDEA in ensuring that drug traffickers will not be able to take advantage of Information and Communications Technology and linked courier services,” PDEA said.

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