Government agents assigned at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) have intercepted three parcels of smuggled cannabis, ecstasy, and shabu worth more than P2.4 million.
The simultaneous operations were conducted on Feb. 1 at the Central Mail Exchange Center (CMEC), Pair Cargo, and DHL Warehouse in Pasay City.
Customs examiners made physical examination of the parcels and verified the presence of six plastic pouches of candies and one vape cartridge containing THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), 1.020 kilos of ecstasy, and 106.46 grams of shabu (methamphetamine hydrochloride).
The shipments originated from the United States, France, and Pakistan and were shipped to consignees residing in Negros Occidental, Makati City, and Camarines Sur.
The Port of NAIA immediately turned over the seized shipments to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) for proper disposition.
Authorities are now in a follow up operation to go after the owners of the shipments. They are also preparing filing criminal cases against the consignees for violations of Republic Act (RA) No. 9165, the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, and RA 10863, or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act.
The Customs NAIA under the leadership of District Collector Carmelita Talusan vowed to continuously guard the country’s border against the entry of illegal goods.
“The Port, following the directives of Customs Commissioner Yogi Filemon Ruiz and marching orders of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., will remain vigilant and strengthen its collaboration with partner agencies to prevent smuggling,” said Talusan.
