BOC Intensifies War on Drugs, Seizes P37.3-M Illegal Drugs in NAIA

The Bureau of Customs –Ninoy Aquino International Airport heeded to the orders of the Customs Commissioner to intensify the war against the entry of illegal drugs in airports and seaports.

Commissioner Isidro S. Lapeña together with Port of NAIA District Collector Carmelita M. Talusan on August 15 turned over to Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) some P37.3 million worth of illegal drugs seized on five separate occasions in a courier warehouse in Pasay.

Approximately 5,239 grams of shabu concealed in a baby carrier, camera gift, bar stool, and finance magazines while 1,003 pieces of ecstasy hidden in a wooden toy were also seized.

The ongoing investigation of PDEA is verifying the authenticity the name of the consignees: Jaime Tui, Ronalyn Paralejas, Angelo Ledesma, and Magie Tobias, and the name of shipper: Angelita Baillo, Joemar Mata Ayuste, Irene Ledesma, Lutz Winning, and US Global Mail.

One suspect was nabbed by the joint operation of BOC and PDEA on July 26 during the conduct of controlled delivery in Olongapo City. A certain John Lloyd Espinosa, 26, of 20 Foster St., New Banicain, Olongapo City was apprehended for importing 3.63 grams of shabu concealed in a magazine.

One of the packages declared as baby carrier with 680 grams of shabu was intended for export to New Zealand while the remaining shabu came from the US. Ecstasy on other hand has originated from Germany.

This is in addition to the record-breaking 18 drug busts of Port of NAIA in the last 6 months with an estimated overall street value of P219.5 Million in support of the anti-drug campaign of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte.

Since August 30, 2017, the agency has been very proactive and relentless in its effort to combat the smuggling of illegal drugs. The Bureau was able to intercept an estimated P3.436 billion worth of illegal drugs and arrested a total of 23 drug personalities.

“The Bureau of Customs is very much on board in the country’s war against drugs and we will exert our efforts to continue protecting our nation and prevent the use of our ports in the smuggling of illegal drugs into the country,” the Commissioner said.