A new batch of K-9 narcotic detection dogs (NDDs) is set to be deployed soon in all Bureau of Customs (BOC) district ports to help in its efforts to secure the Philippines’ borders against the entry of illegal drugs.
A total of 26 NDDs are expected to augment the operations of the agency’s Enforcement Group (EG) as part of the bureau’s intensified anti-drugs campaign.
“The seriousness of the problem of drug trafficking has prompted us to find more efficient measures that will help us in our job to curb the proliferation of illegal drugs in the country,” EG deputy commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno said in a statement.
Apart from its X-ray Inspection Project, BOC said K9 NDD Teams have been proven to be effective in finding and verifying shipments or baggage suspected to contain prohibited substances.
BOC said the use of drug-sniffing dogs in the anti-illegal drug operations of the Customs Anti-Illegal Drugs Task Force has helped to prevent the entry of a large volume of dangerous drugs into the country.
The renewed campaign against narcotics has resulted in several successful apprehensions, such as the arrest of a Brazilian drug mule carrying more than P63 million worth of cocaine in November 2016 at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3.
Customs agents also apprehended in the same month a Malaysian drug courier who tried to smuggle cocaine valued at P23 million.
In July 2016, more than P19 million worth of shabu, or methamphetamine, originating from Hong Kong was intercepted from a Chinese national at the Cebu International Airport.
Customs Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon assured the public that the customs bureau continues to perform its mandate to strictly secure the country’s borders.
“The Bureau will not stop improving its security measures in support of President Duterte’s war against drugs to protect the public from the proliferation of illegal substances,” he said.
