In line with the Bureau of Customs’ (BOC) continuing efforts against the entry of illegal substances into the country, BOC – NAIA, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Cordillera Administrative Region (PDEA CAR), NAIA Inter-agency Drug Interdiction Task Group (IADITG) and Customs Anti-Illegal Drug Task Force (CAIDTF), arrested the claimant of 1,783 tablets of Ecstasy or “Party Drugs” concealed in Bed Sheets with estimated street value of Php3,031,100.00 during a joint controlled delivery operation in Baguio City on August 12, 2021.
A certain “Elisa Millare y Aguirre”, purported authorized representative of Joyce Ann San Antono, claimed said parcel at around 1230H noon today and was immediately apprehended by the authorities.
Records show that the subject package arrived at Central Mail Exchange Center (CMEC) last July 13, 2021, from Neuss, Germany, and was declared as “Bed Sheet, Children’s Pencil, and a Pair of Shoes”.
The seized illegal drugs were initially discovered during the non-intrusive x-ray scanning of the subject package by the X-ray Inspection Project (XIP NAIA) and K-9 sniffing.
Upon 100% physical examination conducted by the customs examiner on July 14, 2021, the subject package was found to contain 1,783 pieces of tablets in assorted colors.
Samples were immediately referred to PDEA for the conduct of laboratory testing and chemical analysis, which later confirmed that the seized tablets as Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) or commonly known as “Ecstasy” classified as a dangerous drug under the R.A. No. 9165 otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
The claimant was taken into custody by PDEA and is currently undergoing custodial investigation and eventual inquest prosecution for violation of R.A. No. 9165 otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 in relation to Sections 119 and 1401 in of RA 10863 also known as the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA).
Through continuous coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and NAIA Inter-agency Drug Interdiction Task Group, Bureau of Customs under the leadership of Commissioner Rey Leonardo B. Guerrero, and Port of NAIA remain committed in pursuing its mandate of strengthening border protection and stop all attempts to smuggle illegal drugs into the country.
This serves as a warning to all individuals and entities engaged in unscrupulous activities that the Bureau of Customs with other law enforcement agencies will continue to protect the nation against illegal importations and ensure that violators of law will be held accountable. (Bureau of Customs PH)