TRANSPORT network vehicle services must open packages sent through their drivers to prevent being used as drug couriers, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency said Thursday.
“To Grab and Uber operators and drivers, please exercise due diligence to prevent your line of work from being tainted with involvement with illegal drug activities,” PDEA director general Aaron Aquino said.
The PDEA chief, together with the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board chairman Martin Delgra, met with the operators of Grab and Uber taxis to address growing concerns that their drivers are being exploited by drug groups to deliver illegal drugs.
“Report suspected packages directly to us,” he said.
On Sept. 19, Jovit Atillano, a suspected ecstasy dealer, was arrested by the PDEA agents in a raid in Mandaluyong City.
Aquino said Atillano used TNVS to deliver packages containing illegal drugs to his online clients.
Both the representatives of Grab and Uber present during the meeting expressed their support to Aquino’s suggestion.
Aquino is also pushing for the creation of a memorandum of understanding among PDEA, LTFRB, Uber and Grab to discuss policies to address the emerging trends of using public transport in delivering illegal drugs in October.
The LTFRB, meanwhile, ordered Uber to stop charging customers for the cost of toll for trips passing through toll gates.
“Uber is directed not to implement this ‘surcharge’ but instead file its position paper on the matter for the Board’s consideration and deliberation,” the LTFRB said in a Twitter post.