BOC, PDEA, Naia task group intercept air parcel with P1-M ‘party drugs’

From BOC website

MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Customs Port of Naia, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and NAIA Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group (NAIA-IADITG) seized 535 pieces of ecstasy tablets with street value of P1 million in an air parcel at Central Mail Exchange Center (CMEC).

The seized tablets were initially discovered by Customs personnel at CMEC during the 100% physical examination of the air parcel.

Subsequent laboratory test conducted by the PDEA confirmed the tablets as Ecstasy or “party drugs.” Records further show that subject air parcel came from the Netherlands and was misdeclared as “documents.”

The 535 pieces of ecstasy tablets were turned over on January 7, 2021, to PDEA for further investigation and possible prosecution of individuals involved in the illegal importation for violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 (RA No. 9165) and Section 1401 Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (RA No. 10863).

A total of 23,482 ecstasy tablets worth P42.27 million were seized by BOC Naia together with PDEA and NAIA-IADIGT for the year 2020.

BOC Naia is in full support to Customs Commissioner Rey Leonardo B. Guerrero’s anti-smuggling campaign, as the BOC will remain vigilant against smuggling attempts to illegally import unregistered medicines and other prohibited, restricted and regulated goods without proper clearances from concerned agency/office, aside from dangerous goods.

For 2020, the BOC condemned all unregistered medicines and pharmaceuticals which arrived into the country without importation permits.

For BOC Naia alone, 373.19 tons of unsafe and other hazardous goods including unregistered medicines and pharmaceuticals without Food & Drug Administration permits and clearances were condemned and destroyed in Trece Martires, Cavite.

JPV