The Bureau of Customs (BOC), working with other government agencies, intercepted prohibited and regulated drugs that arrived in parcels at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).
Joint efforts by operatives from the Customs Police, NAIA Assessment Division, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) led to the capture of these drugs.
The contraband includes 100,000 200mg tablets of Cytotec; 31,014 10mg tablets of Valium; 2,700 10mg tablets of Xolnox; 24,000 10mg tablets of Ritalin; 27,492 tablets of Alprazolam; and 7,000 10mg tablets of Ambien.
The parcels originating from India and Pakistan arrived in Manila on May 24, July 5, and July 15. Declared as containing pharmaceutical drugs and medicines, as well as Misoclear Tablets, the parcels were found to contain drugs that are either prohibited or regulated.
A medication to prevent and treat stomach ulcers, Cytotec is prohibited by the FDA because it can also start labor or induce abortion. Alprazolam and the others are classified as dangerous drugs under Republic Act No. No. 9165, otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, and require authorization from PDEA to be brought into the country.
Importation of these parcels violated Section 101(k) or Prohibited Importations and Section 2530 or Property Subject to Forfeiture under Tariff and Customs Laws of the Tariff and Customs Code of the Philippines as amended; R.A. No. 9711 “FDA” or Food and Drug Act of 2009; and R.A. No. 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
Two of the parcels have been abandoned and recommended for forfeiture.
Image courtesy of Victor Habbick at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
