(Photo courtesy of PNA)
MANILA – Philippine authorities are intensifying border security and coordination among government agencies following the interception of more than 1.6 tons of shabu valued at Php 11.5 billion in Laos and Thailand, reportedly intended for shipment to the Philippines.
The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC), Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), and Philippine Center on Transnational Crime (PCTC) held an inter-agency meeting on Wednesday, October 14, to strengthen measures against international drug trafficking networks.
The discussions focused on improving intelligence sharing, strengthening cooperation with foreign law enforcement counterparts, and enhancing the monitoring of suspicious cross-border activities.
Authorities also examined ways to improve verification of immigration records, travel histories, and aviation documents, including passenger manifests, flight information, and flight plans.
PAOCC Executive Director Undersecretary Benjamin Acorda Jr. emphasized that the massive drug interception highlighted the need for a unified response against organized criminal groups operating across international borders.
“The intercepted illegal drug shipments are not merely an isolated law enforcement matter. It is a test of the country’s capacity to secure its borders and protect its community from exploitation by transnational and organized criminal groups,” Acorda said.
He stressed that authorities would continue investigating leads connected to the intercepted shipments to identify individuals and organizations potentially involved in the trafficking operation.
Acorda also warned that anyone found responsible for facilitating or allowing the movement of illegal drugs would be held accountable under the law.
The coordinated efforts aim to strengthen security at the country’s ports of entry and exit, prevent illegal drug shipments from reaching Philippine territory, and disrupt transnational drug trafficking operations.
