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Friday, March 29, 2024

Over P5m in smuggled ‘ecstasy’ from Cebu seized in NAIA raid

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Government agents assigned at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport have seized a smuggled shipment of ecstasy and arrested its claimant during a controlled delivery operation in Cebu City.

The shipment worth more than P5 million from the Netherlands was misdeclared by the importer as women’s clothing, a case of technical smuggling, according to the Bureau of Customs.

The contraband arrived at the Central Mail Exchange Center (CMEC) in Pasay City on June 10 and is consigned to the claimant identified as Lunel Paden.

A composite team from the Port of NAIA, Interagency Drug Interdiction Task Group (IADITG) and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency conducted the operation after  Customs examiners and enforcement group personnel discovered that the shipment contain 2,984 pieces of party drug ecstasy.

Customs officials said ecstasy is a Class-A drug, which is an artificial stimulant, popular among clubbers. They added those who take the drug can have a rush of energy which makes them alert, excited, and happy.

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The Airport authorities arrested Paden using the controlled delivery operation with the help of PDEA’s regional office and other law enforcers in Cebu.

The controlled delivery technic is used when a consignment of illicit drugs is detected and allowed to go forward under the control and surveillance of law enforcement officers in order to secure evidence against the organizers of such illicit drug traffic.

This operation has been proved effective in identifying and bringing to justice principals, organizers and financiers of the drug trade.

Paden, who is now in police custody, will be charged with violation of Republic Act 9165 also known as the Dangerous Drug Act and RA 10863 or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA).

Port of NAIA, in partnership with IADITG and PDEA, remains active in intercepting illegal drugs and protecting the borders. From 2019, there were 31 anti-narcotics operations, 43 in 2020, and 57 in 2021.

This year, the Customs bureau under the supervision of Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero so far recorded a total of 46 drug seizures with an estimated value of P1.6 billion.

Guerrero said amidst the threat posed by the COVID-19 virus, the bureau maintains its commitment to protect the country’s border and prevent attempts to smuggle illegal goods and contrabands.

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