AMID government efforts to fight illegal drugs, peddlers of these very harmful substances are finding new ways to avoid detection.

But thanks to dedicated agents of the state who don’t let their guard down against drug smugglers.

Just recently, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) said it has seized over P4.24 million worth of shabu hidden in two bread toasters in a shipment at the Port of Clark.

The BOC Port of Clark said it uncovered 614 grams of shabu on June 27 after a shipment from Arizona, United States was subjected to physical examination and K9 inspection by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.

It said the shipment declared as a “stainless steel two-slice bread toaster” was initially flagged as “suspicious” by the X-ray Inspection Project personnel.

The BOC-Port of Clark turned over the seized shipment to the PDEA as it issued a warrant of seizure and detention against it for violation of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act in relation to the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

BOC Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio said the confiscation was made possible through the customs’ intensified campaign against the proliferation of illegal drugs.

The Bureau of Customs implements strict border security measures to combat illegal drugs. Rest assured that we are closely coordinating with our counterparts to prevent the entry of prohibited drugs as we remain firm with the directives of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.,” he said.

The BOC-Port of Clark also cited the boosting of the country’s intelligence capabilities and strict profiling of inbound shipments to combat entry of smuggled drugs.

Earlier, the BOC seized almost PHP5 million worth of raw ecstasy concealed in a chopping board.

The BOC – Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) said the operation was conducted in collaboration with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).

Records disclosed that the subject postal item arrived at the Central Mail Exchange Center from Berchem, Belgium via postal service on June 20, 2023.

The confiscated raw ecstasy, weighing 1,460 grams, was valued at PHP4.96 million. The BOC-NAIA also arrested the claimant from Las Piñas City.

The BOC, however, chose not to disclose the name of the arrested claimant who is now under the custody of PDEA for inquest proceedings. BOC decided not to provide the background investigation of PDEA.

The arrested claimant will face charges for violation of Republic Act (RA) 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act, and RA 10863, or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act.

As one can see, those behind the illegal drugs business don’t stop thinking how to market their dangerous products. And it’s good to know that far from being complacent, our government is vigilant in combatting prohibited substances.

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