BOC intercepts P41 million drug shipments at NAIA

MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Customs, in coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and Philippine Postal Corp. (PHLPost), intercepted 39 parcels containing dangerous drugs with a street value of P41 million, in separate operations at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport complex, the BOC announced yesterday.

Intercepted at NAIA were five parcels from India with 4.344 kilos of shabu valued at P29.5 million; 34 parcels from the United States, Spain, Germany, Canada, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom containing kush valued at P8.48 million, and ecstasy worth P3 million.

The BOC said the shipments – consigned to recipients in Metro Manila, Cavite, Laguna, Pampanga, Cebu, Cagayan de Oro, Surigao and Antique – were flagged through customs profiling, x-ray screening, K9 inspection and physical examination.

Customs Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno said the operations were in line with President Marcos’ directive to strengthen border security and prevent the entry of illegal drugs and other contraband into the country.

“We are deeply grateful to PHLPost, PDEA and the NAIA inter-agency drug interdiction task group. The public can rest assured that the BOC will further strengthen its coordination with partner agencies to ensure that this type of contraband does not enter the country and that anyone who violates the law will be held accountable,” Nepomuceno said.