Consistent in intensifying the anti-illegal drug campaign of the Bureau of Customs under the leadership of Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero, the Port of Clark, in coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), Enforcement and Security Service (ESS) – Customs Anti-Illegal Drug Task Force (CAIDTF) and Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS), foiled another smugglers’ attempt to import illegal drugs as it intercepted 9,917 and approximately 31 broken tablets of Ecstasy or “party drugs” worth Php 16,911,600.00 last November 3, 2021.
Said illegal drugs were concealed inside four (4) Bed Sheets from a shipment declared as “Bed Sheets, Lady Bag, Watch, Shoes, Cloth” shipped from Brussels, Belgium which was subjected to x-ray inspection and physical examination.
Upon physical examination, the Customs Examiner noticed an unusual packaging wrapped around the four (4) bed sheets. This prompted him to open the same where he found colored tablets suspected to be Ecstasy. Thereafter, K9 sweeping and initial field testing by CAIDTF & PDEA were conducted which likewise gave positive indications for presence illegal drugs. Subsequently, samples were turned over to PDEA for the conduct of chemical laboratory analysis which confirmed that the tablets were indeed Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) or Ecstasy.
District Collector Alexandra Lumontad issued a Warrant of Seizure and Detention against the subject shipment for violation of Sections 1400, 118 (g), 119 (d) and 1113 par. f, i & l (3 & 4) of R.A. 10863 otherwise known as the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA) in relation to R.A. 9165 otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
On November 5, 2021, a controlled delivery operation was conducted by the joint elements of PDEA, CAIDTF, ESS & CIIS to the consignee’s address at Brgy. Tatalon, Quezon City which resulted to the arrest of the claimant.
The subject illegal drugs will be turned over to PDEA pursuant to Customs Administrative Order No. 03-2020 and the claimant will be subjected to inquest proceedings.
The Port of Clark, under the leadership of Commissioner Guerrero, will continuously intensify its effort against illegal drugs through consistent coordination with PDEA and CAIDTF to support the continuing war of President Rodrigo Duterte against prohibited drugs.
