In line with its commitment to intensify the Bureau of Customs' (BOC) anti-illegal drug campaign, the Port of Clark successfully thwarted an attempt to smuggle illegal drugs by intercepting 4,891 Ecstasy tablets, or “party drugs,” valued at PhP8.314 million.
The BOC Port of Clark identified and intercepted the shipment in coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), the BOC's Enforcement and Security Service (ESS) – Customs Anti-Illegal Drug Task Force (CAIDTF), and the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS).
The BOC X-ray Inspection Project flagged the suspicious shipment, which was then subjected to K9 inspection by CAIDTF and PDEA, both of which confirmed the presence of illegal drugs.
A physical examination of the shipment revealed one (1) box of espresso capsules and three (3) boxes of coffee beans. The Ecstasy tablets were concealed among the coffee beans inside the three boxes, which had been shipped from the Netherlands.
Samples were turned over to PDEA for chemical analysis, confirming that the tablets contained Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), commonly known as Ecstasy.
A Warrant of Seizure and Detention was issued against the shipment for violations of Sections 1400, 118(g), 119(d), and 1113 paragraphs f, i, and l (3 & 4) of Republic Act No. 10863, also known as the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA), in relation to Republic Act No. 9165, the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
Under the leadership of Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Y. Rubio, the Port of Clark remains steadfast in its efforts to combat illegal drug smuggling. “The Bureau of Customs reaffirms its commitment to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. by remaining vigilant against the importation of illegal drugs and hazardous substances into the country,” Commissioner Rubio affirmed.
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