GOVERNMENT agents assigned at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) have seized a shipment of 1,400 grams of raw ecstasy worth more than P4.94 million at the Central Mail Exchange Center in Pasay City.
The operation conducted by the composite team from the Port of NAIA, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and NAIA Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group on Tuesday also resulted in the arrest of the shipment’s claimant, an unidentified resident of Las Pinas City.
NAIA acting district collector Yasmin Mapa said the parcel which came from Berchem, Belgium was claimed by a resident from Las Pinas city, but his identity was temporarily withheld pending further investigation.
“The claimant’s parcel underwent rigorous screening, including x-ray scanning, K9 inspection, and a thorough physical examination, which led to the discovery of the raw ecstasy concealed inside a chopping board,” port officials said.
The authorities found 1,460 grams of the raw ecstasy in the package.
The claimant and the seized drugs were turned over the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).
The suspect will be charged with violation of Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Drug Act), and Republic Act 10863 (Customs Modernization and Tariff Act).
From January 2023 to present, the Port of NAIA registered at least 16 seizures of smuggled shipments of metamphetamine hydrochloride, locally known as shabu, and party drug ecstasy.
Most of the seized illegal drug shipments were falsely declared as toys, coffee cans, microwave ovens, boxing gloves, massage gadgets, car mufflers, wedding dress, chairs, baby cribs, and religious items.
Commissioner Bien Rubio stressed that “this would not be the end of the line for those attempting to bring in illegal drugs and other contraband items into the country.”
“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 g 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,” he said.
Mapa said ecstasy was dangerous because its effects include feelings of depersonalization, elevated anxiety, muscle tension, involuntary teeth clenching, nausea, blurred vision, faintness, chills and sweating, hypertension, tremors, seizures and increased body temperature.
Overdose of this drugs may result in heart failure or death, she added.
“Inspection and a thorough physical examination led to the discoveryof the raw methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) or raw ecstasy concealed inside a chopping board, with an estimated value of P4.94 million,” Mapa said.