Customs seizes 190% more illegal drugs

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ID-10045342The Bureau of Customs (BOC) apprehended P433.91 million worth of smuggled illegal drugs and other controlled chemicals from January to May this year, up 190% over the P149.59 million seized during the whole of 2013.

BOC said that in the last five years, its Enforcement and Security Service has been engaged in an active campaign against illegal drugs, resulting in numerous apprehensions of suspected big-time illegal traffickers and seizure of their contraband.

The National Law Enforcement Coordinating Committee, an anti-illegal drugs body composed of representatives from government offices with law enforcement duties, lauded BOC for having the most number of drug-related accomplishments from 2010 up to May 2014, totaling 139 apprehensions of illegal drugs and chemicals worth over P1.1 billion.

“The success of our anti-drug operations is the result of improved intelligence work and tactical approach,” Customs Enforcement and Security Service Director Willie Tolentino said in a statement. “We will relentlessly go after these drug dealers and traffickers.”

Last May, joint operatives of the BOC and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) busted an online drug-dealing operation that led to the arrest of Prabhjot Singh Gill, a suspected big-time supplier and distributor of Ecstasy, a synthetic, psychoactive drug similar to methamphetamine. Customs officials are also working on improved coordination with PDEA following an increase in incidents of drug smuggling using personal effects like stuffed toys, toiletries, and other ordinary items.

Image courtesy of Mister GC at FreeDigitalPhotos.net