Government agents have seized P2.65 million worth of cocaine and liquid marijuana or cannabis during a raid at a warehouse late Tuesday night in Taguig City.
Operatives of the Manila International Container Port – Customs Intelligence and the Investigation Service (MICP-CIIS) swooped down on Unit 1307 of the storage facility located at AFP-RSBS Industrial Park in East Service Road, and discovered 500 grams of cocaine, 30 grams of kush, various electronic cigarettes, vape cartridges with liquid marijuana, and other paraphernalia.
The MICP-CIIS operatives conducted the operation with help from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, the Philippine National Police, and the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency.
Customs Commissioner Yogi Filemon Ruiz gave the order to conduct the operation as a follow up to the Nov. 18 raid in Ayala-Alabang Village in Muntinlupa City where a total of P149.6 million worth of shabu was also seized.
Ruiz said the accuracy of the reports his gathered by the MICP-CIIS agents enabled them to act immediately against the warehouse.
“One of our best assets is the partnership we have with different government agencies. We maximize that relationship by bringing information to the table and acting on it immediately. That’s also why many of our operations against illegal drugs, in particular, have been successful, because we have an all-hands-on-deck approach,” Ruiz said.
“Since assuming this position, my standing order—and I have been very firm on this—is for the BOC and other partner agencies to pour all our resources against contrabands, especially illegal drugs,” he added.
Customs Deputy Commissioner Juvymax Uy said it is also a matter of “laser-like” focused to bring perpetrators to justice.
“Being able to put an end to the entry and proliferation of illegal drugs is the top priority of my being a deputy commissioner now. The agency works very hard to achieve our mandate and perform our duties at full capacity,” he said.
CIIS director Jeoffrey Tacio also underscored the vital support the Customs bureau receives from the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
“Eliminating the illegal drugs trade and of all other smuggled products is the cornerstone of this agency. These operations show our commitment to that cause. Moving forward, we have intensified this fight and have fulfilled the tasks promised by our President of protecting the country’s borders, market, and making sure our society remains free from drugs,” he said.
The seized items will be turned over to the PDEA Laboratory Service “for qualitative and quantitative examination” and also for the filing of appropriate charges against the owner and operator of the raided establishment.