Philippine Bureau of Customs (BOC) operatives, in coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), intercepted at the Manila Central Post Office this week five parcels containing about 5,000 ecstasy pills with an estimated street value of P7.5 million as well as an undetermined weight of amphetamine.
The parcels were intercepted by the BOC Enforcement Group (EG)-Customs Anti-Illegal Drugs Task Force, PDEA, and the Port of Manila Collection District which has jurisdiction over the Manila Central Post Office.
The illegal drugs found in five parcels and hidden inside toy boxes—three consigned to a certain Don Arnold and two consigned to a certain Martin Domingo—all originated from the Netherlands.
The amphetamine found in one of the parcels is classified as a dangerous drug under Republic Act No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Drugs Act of 2002, and its importation requires a prior import permit (S 5-1) from PDEA.
EG officer-in-charge Arnel Alcaraz said in a statement that the modus of these drug syndicates is to order illegal drugs online using a fake identity, pay in bitcoins, and have the parcels delivered via the Philippine Postal (PhilPost) service.
BOC has ordered a more in-depth investigation into the illegal activity to identify the personalities involved.
Last month, BOC through EG intercepted on August 22 the attempted smuggling of about 2,000 ecstasy tablets through the Central Mail Exchange Center, and thwarted on August 28 a similar attempt with 2.4 kilograms of cocaine at the Clark International Airport.
Image courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
