Bureau of Customs (BOC) agents assigned at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport and members of the NAIA – Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group (IADITG) arrested four individuals who claimed a shipment of the party drug ‘ecstasy’ worth P85 million at the Central Mail Exchange Center (CMEC) in Pasay City on Monday.
The shipment from The Netherlands consists of eight large packages that arrived on March 19 and were misdeclared as “dog food.” It was consigned to a resident of Cabanatuan City.
Authorities said ecstasy is a Class-A drug, which is an artificial stimulant, popular among clubbers. They added those who take the drug can have a rush of energy which makes them alert, excited and happy.
Those taking the drug can feel anxious or get panic attacks, and develop confused episodes, paranoia, or even psychosis.
The Bureau of Customs – Port of NAIA turned over the seized parcels to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency for proper disposition and the filing of criminal charges against the owners for violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 in relation to the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act.
The series of drug smuggling prompted the Port of NAIA to intensify its campaign by subjecting more parcels to rigid document profilings, x-ray scanning, and physical examinations.
Authorities said criminal syndicates still dared to smuggle prohibited drugs using the Philippine postal system.
Customs personnel have been apprehending illegal drug shipments in compliance with Commissioner Bien Rubio’s directive to secure the borders and the anti-drug campaign of President Marcos.
Shabu, marijuana, and ecstasy are the top three narcotics distributed on the streets and these prohibited substances are manufactured by Chinese, Taiwanese, and Mexican drug syndicates, according to PDEA.