Government agents intercepted another smuggled shipment of ecstasy and cannabis worth P2 million at the Central Mail Exchange Center in Pasay City.
The Customs-Port of Ninoy Aquino International Airport turned over to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency the prohibited drugs that were discovered through random parcel profiling and K9 sweeping at CMEC.
The shipment of 547 grams of marijuana was misdeclared as “Gift” and was shipped from Netherlands via DHL Parcel. The consignee was identified as Mark Lumanlan Chavez, a resident of Park Avenue Mansion, Park Avenue Street, Unit 1430, Pasay City.
The second parcel, containing 28 grams of kush marijuana, was declared as “Adult Toys” and came from Nantwich, Cheshire, United Kingdom. The shipment is consigned to an individual residing at 120 Harvard corner Stanford Streets, Provident Village, Barangay Jesus Dela Peña, Marikina City.
The third parcel, containing 500 pieces of ecstasy pills, has no declaration with no shipper’s details and consigned to Ken Kenneth Rosales, a resident of of 2564 Tres Borces Street, Mabolo, Cebu City.
Customs district collector Carmelita “Mimel” Talusan said the ecstasy tablets were discovered hidden inside different parcels.
“The raw ecstasy from Netherlands was declared as a gift, while the marijuana from Great Britain was declared as adult toys",” she said.
She said the Port of NAIA has conducted 25 drug bust operations since January this year.
“Last year, the NAIA-port has recorded 86 drug busts operations actively protecting the country from illegal drugs even during this pandemic,” she said.
The BOC NAIA will continue to be vigilant and support the directive of the BOC Commisssioner to guard the national borders, Talusan said.
Last week, Customs-NAIA agents intercepted a smuggled shipment of kush marijuana worth P3.1 million, also at CMEC.
The shipment from California, USA, was misdeclared as “Chocolate, Green Tea, Shirts, Black Tea”. When Customs examiners checked the parcel, they found four packs of kush marijuana.
The authorities refused to identify the owner of the shipment. They, however, said the package was consigned to an individual residing in Marikina City.
Kush marijuana is still considered illegal in the country and the importation of which is punishable by life imprisonment.
Authorities 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.
Those taking the drug can feel anxious or get panic attacks, and developing confused episodes, paranoia or even psychosis.
Continuous profiling of parcels and cargoes arriving via air is intensified in view of unveiled similar instances of concealment of dangerous drugs.
The authorities said the consignee will be charged with violation of the Dangerous Drugs Act in relation to Section 119 and Section 1113 of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act.