Bureau of Customs (BOC) agents seized more than P600 million worth of smuggled drugs as a result of an intensified campaign on dangerous contraband at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) during the first quarter of the year.
From January 2023 to the present, the Port of NAIA already had accomplished 15 seizures of smuggled shipments of methamphetamine hydrochloride, locally known as shabu, and party drug ecstasy.
Most of the seized illegal drug shipments were misdeclared as toys, coffee cans, microwave ovens, boxing gloves, massage gadgets, car mufflers, wedding dresses, chairs, baby cribs, and religious items.
Just recently, Bureau of Customs – NAIA agents with the help from the agency’s X-ray Inspection Project (XIP) and Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) have seized more than P400 million worth shipments of smuggled shabu in a cargo warehouse.
The shipments found to contain 58.93 kilos of the prohibited substance came from Guinea, Africa.
NAIA district collector Collector Carmelita Talusan attributed the port’s accomplishments to her men and the continuing support of the Customs – XIP, CIIS, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, and NAIA Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group.
She said the men and women of Port of NAIA, with the guidance of Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio, are focused not only in doing their best to meet revenue targets but also in protecting the borders.
Commissioner Rubio, while lauding the work by his people, promised 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 Bongbong 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.
