Government agents assigned at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) have intercepted smuggled shipments of high-grade marijuana and vape pens worth more than P4 million at the Central Mail Exchange Center (CMEC) in Pasay City.
The five parcels, containing a total of 2, 536 grams of marijuana and 70 pieces of vape pens, came from Canada and the United States. The shipments were consigned to certain residents of Quezon City, Mandaluyong City, and Angeles City in Pampanga.
The contrabands were falsely declared as car seat covers, coffee mugs, books, and decors, a clear case of technical smuggling.
Customs agents and members of the NAIA – Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group (IADITG) conducted the operation in line with the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to intensify their campaign against illegal drugs in the country.
The Bureau of Customs stated that despite the government’s comprehensive anti-narcotics campaign, international drug syndicates continue to use the country’s postal system for smuggling prohibited drugs and other “anti-soci al goods.”
Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio reiterates the agencyÂ’s commitment to preventing the entry of illicit goods into the country. He said they will continue to intensify border control and enhance coordination with partner agencies to combat illegal drug smuggling.
He also emphasized the importance of joint efforts among law enforcement agencies in combating drug trafficking and ensuring the safety and security of the people.