Customs agents seize 5 kg of ‘downer drugs’

Bureau of Customs (BOC) operatives at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) seized on Thursday more than five kilos of capsules known as “downer drugs” found in two abandoned parcels at the Central Mail Exchange Center in Pasay City.

BOC-Naia Customs Collector Carmelita Talusan said the parcels arrived months ago from India and were consigned to an Indian national residing in Mandaluyong City. When opened, the parcels contained 7,999 blue-colored dextropropoxyphene capsules, popularly known as “downer drugs,” which are depressants and are regulated substances.

The capsules were in plastic containers wrapped with cloth and packaging tape to mislead examiners. The drugs were detected by X-ray personnel. —Jerome Aning