Authorities on Wednesday advised air travelers not to accept any request to bring along packages in their trips, if they haven’t seen its contents, especially if the person making the request is not personally known to them.
This, according to Customs and Airport officials, would prevent members of international drug syndicate and other criminals to transport or smuggle prohibited substance into the Philippines.
“Smuggling of drugs, whether in large or small quantities, will never be tolerated,” said Manila International Airport Authority general manager Eddie Villanueva Monreal.
Monreal said the Airport authority in close coordination with the Customs bureau and Police – Aviation Security Group heightened vigilance in the campaign against illegal drug trafficking in a bid to discourage international drug syndicates from using the Philippines as a transshipment point or dumping ground for their illegal substances.
Agents of the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service revealed that unsuspecting air travelers are being paid to carry sealed boxes, cartons or packs without asking or knowing its content.
Customs officials also warned returning Overseas Filipino Workers, especially this holiday season, not to bring in packages with unknown items or of commercial quantities saying they could be held legally liable.
The warning was issued as the Yuletide season traditionally brings an increase in goods traffic, especially those brought by OFWs.
It has also been observed that some “unscrupulous individuals” are taking advantage of the OFWs generosity by asking them to bring either taxable items in large quantities or illegal items knowing that they are exempted from routine examination and inspection.
The authorities urged the OFWs to carry their own luggage and not to accept things from persons they did not know personally.
“These are the people who could put them (the OFWs) at risk,” a CIIS agent said.
The government recorded an increasing number of apprehension involving suspected drug mules who tried to smuggle drugs in the airports since 2014.
There was a case involving a foreign national who was arrested after authorities discovered boxes of Gold Premium brand milk containing methamphetamine hydrochloride, locally known as shabu. When interrogated, the suspect confirmed that he was paid for carrying the milk boxes for his trip.
Last Sunday, elements of the Airport Drug Interdiction Task Group arrested a suspected Columbian drug mule who tried to smuggle P8.8 million worth of cocaine at sthe Ninoy Aquino International Airport – Terminal 3.
Suspect Alberto Pedroza Quijano, 67, who swallowed 79 rubber pellets of cocaine, was arrested after the US government tipped off the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency about his arrival. He arrived at the NAIA on board Emirates Airline flight EK-332 from Dubai.