Government agents assigned at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport intercepted smuggled shipments of ecstasy worth at least P15 million.
The composite team from the Bureau of Customs, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, and NAIA Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group (NAIA-IADITG) also arrested the claimants of the three packages containing 9,243 party drug tablets.
The authorities arrested Rowena Canapi and Michael De Guzman after claiming the packages at Quezon City Postal Office around 1 p.m.
The packages, shipped by a certain “Agner Buzeta” and “Victor Martis” from the Netherlands, were misdeclared as “Hand Bag & Shoes”, “Baby Clothes” and “Clothes”.
The Customs – NAIA coordinated with officials of PDEA and IADITG to conduct a controlled delivery operation after confirming that the shipments contain a prohibited drug.
The bureau turned over the illegal drugs to the PDEA for further profiling and case build up against the importers and responsible persons for possible prosecution in violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 in relation to Section 1401 of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act.
Customs Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero commended the Port of NAIA under the supervision of district collector Carmelita Talusan for their accomplishments in going after drug smuggling.
He also praised the men from PDEA and the Interdiction Task Force for successfully conducting the anti-drugs controlled delivery operation.
The controlled delivery technique 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.
Collector Talusan said amidst the threat posed by the COVID-19 virus, the Customs bureau maintains its commitment to protect the country’s border and prevent attempts to smuggle illegal goods and contrabands.