Customs, PDEA join forces to stop drug smuggling in Mindanao

The Bureau of Customs is tapping the help of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency to prevent stop drug smuggling through the country’s ports in Mindanao (INQUIRER FILE PHOTO)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – To stop prohibited drugs from entering the country through its ports, the Bureau of Customs in Northern Mindanao is partnering with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and is using the latter’s expertise and its sniffing dogs in its anti-drug campaign.

The BOC, in a statement, said aside from its primary functions of keeping the country’s port of entries free from smuggling and ensuring the efficient collection of tax and duties, it would actively contribute to President Duterte’s war on drugs.

Following the direction set by former Customs Deputy Commissioner for Intelligence Group Jessie Dellosa, which was implemented by Collector Rudy Claudia Alameda, the Bureau of Customs-Port of Cagayan de Oro’s Anti-Smuggling and Anti-Corruption Team (BOC-CDO Team) was created and was tasked to go after smugglers and the agency’s corrupt personnel and officials.

The BOC-CDO Team, composed of representatives from various Customs offices, is now the group authorized by the agency’s leadership to intensify the anti-smuggling and anti-corruption crusade, as well as anti-drug operation, in the local ports.

“The BOC-CDO Team tied up with the PDEA to raise the country’s border security and thwart the possible entry of illegal drugs through the CDO port and its three sub-ports, namely, the (Mindanao Container Terminal), Ozamiz and Iligan,” BOC-10 said in a statement.

The team, the Customs said, has already coordinated with the PDEA in Northern Mindanao its operations.  SFM