The Manila Times
CUSTOMS authorities dealt a major blow to cross-border drug trafficking syndicates after intercepting P6.8 million worth of illegal drugs inside abandoned inbound parcels at the Central Mail Exchange Center (CMEC) at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA). Customs Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno said over the weekend that the operation exposed another attempt by international drug syndicates to exploit the country's mail system. Customs officers uncovered 4,231 grams of dried leaves suspected to be Kush marijuana, with an estimated street value of P6.34 million, along with 325 pink tablets believed to be 'ecstasy' or MDMA worth about P487,500. The drugs were cleverly concealed in parcels falsely declared as everyday items such as “Mama Cake Durian,” “Dog Food,” and “Science Dino-Bot” — a tactic commonly used to evade detection. The shipments originated from Thailand, the United States, and the Netherlands, and were bound for recipients in various parts of Luzon and Mindanao. Despite being abandoned by their consignees, the packages did not escape scrutiny. Authorities flagged the shipments through profiling and inspection, ultimately uncovering the concealed contraband. The interdiction was carried out by the NAIA Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group, in close coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), highlighting the growing synergy among agencies in combating drug smuggling. All confiscated substances have been turned over to the PDEA Laboratory Service for confirmatory testing and proper disposition, while legal proceedings are underway against those behind the shipments. Violators face charges under Section 4, Article II of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. BOC-NAIA District Collector Yasmin Obillos-Mapa said that the bureau remains relentless in tightening border controls, particularly in high-risk entry points such as international mail facilities. Officials stressed that even abandoned parcels are not beyond the reach of authorities, and attempts to smuggle illegal drugs — no matter how disguised — will be uncovered. With smuggling tactics becoming increasingly sophisticated, the Bureau of Customs vowed to enhance intelligence, inspection, and inter-agency coordination to safeguard the public and keep dangerous drugs off Philippine shores.
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