Government agents assigned at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) have seized another parcel, this time containing five kilos of smuggled dried opium poppy buds from Spain.
The raid on the Central Mail Exchange Center (CMEC) in Pasay City also resulted in the arrest of the shipment’s claimant identified as Amandeep Singh, 37, a resident of Barangay Burol in Dasmariñas City, Cavite.
A composite team from the Bureau of Customs, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), and the NAIA Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group (NAIA-IADITG) conducted the operation Tuesday night.
Based on import documents, the shipper Sammee Singh of Navarro De Haro 24 30700 Murcia, Spain, declared the content of the parcel as “Prepared Foods of Cereals Corn Flakes.” Customs said it was a clear case of technical smuggling.
Under Sec. 4 Article II of Republic Act 9165 (Dangerous Drugs Act), anyone who would import Dangerous Drugs and Controlled Precursors and Essential Chemicals “xxx… including any and all species of opium poppy or any part thereof or substances derived therefrom even for floral, decorative and culinary purposes” could be penalized with life imprisonment to death and a fine ranging from P500,000 to P10 million.
The Customs chief had ordered the seizure of all imported poppy seeds and poppy seeds-containing products and the filing of criminal and administrative charges against erring importers.
Authorities warned that since opium seeds contain alkaloids of morphine, codeine and thebaine which are classified as dangerous drugs, the person regularly taking these products would most likely test positive for dangerous drugs when examined.
The latest seizure came a day after the Bureau of Customs – X-Ray Inspection Project confiscated a parcel of shabu worth more than P3.8 million bound for Australia.
“We are steadfast in our commitment to protect the country against any and all forms of smuggling. This goal is in line with the directives of President Marcos, so the public can be rest assured that we are heightening our vigilance against smuggling operations in a concerted effort to meet our revenue targets and ensure fair and secure trade,” Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio said.
