PDEA, Ninja Van ink MOA vs drug trafficking via courier services
THE Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) signed Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with Wallstreet Courier Services Incorporated, or popularly known as Ninja Van, to help address the drug trafficking trend using delivery courier services.
In a simple ceremony Tuesday (June 15, 2021) at the PDEA National Headquarters, the MOA was formally signed by PDEA Director General Wilkins M. Villanueva and Martin Cu, Country Head of Wallstreet Courier Services Incorporated.
Ninja Van is a technology company that operates a mobile and web application matching its accredited drivers with consumers in need of delivery services in certain areas in the Philippines.
Under the MOA, PDEA and Ninja Van agreed to cooperate and coordinate closely with each other, and exchange best practices and knowledge to combat transportation of dangerous drugs, or controlled precursor and essential chemicals (CPECs).
Both parties also pledged to synchronize their efforts to interdict and prevent the express delivery and/or transportation of packages containing illegal drugs or CPECs into the Philippine territory, including gathering of information, monitoring and identification of suspected drug trafficking activities.
“There is an increasing prevalence involving delivery courier services as mode of trafficking dangerous drugs. They have become unknowing drug couriers by accepting delivery orders from persons engaged in illegal drug trade,” Villanueva said.
According to Villanueva, drug syndicates find creative ways to distribute illegal drugs even in the face of the coronavirus pandemic. “The safest way to move illegal drugs is the absence of human contact. They resort to delivery service platforms to make the delivery of illicit goods close to undetectable,” he said.
Prior to the signing of the agreement, PDEA has entered partnerships with other domestic courier companies to help intercept packages containing illegal drugs and prevent them from being delivered.
“A collaborative culture with various stakeholders of the anti-drug campaign, is one of the best paths in ending a gargantuan problem like illegal drugs,” the PDEA chief said.
