THE Bureau of Customs (BOC) and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) have foiled an attempt to smuggle into the country Ecstasy tablets, also called “party drugs,” valued at P8.314 million through the Port of Clark in Pampanga.
The contraband was intercepted by the BOC’s Enforcement and Security Service (ESS) – Customs Anti-Illegal Drug Task Force (CAIDTF), and the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) in collaboration with the PDEA.
The shipment, concealed among coffee beans stashed inside three boxes that came from the Netherlands, was subjected to K9 inspection by the CAIDTF and the PDEA, both of which confirmed the presence of illegal drugs.
“Physical examination of the shipment revealed one box of espresso capsules and three boxes of coffee beans,” the BOC said in a statement.
Samples were turned over to PDEA for chemical analysis, confirming that the tablets contained methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), commonly known as Ecstasy.
The BOC reiterated its commitment to protect the country against the importation of illegal drugs and hazardous substances into the country..
