The value of smuggled illegal drugs and other controlled chemicals apprehended by the Bureau of Customs (BOC) reached P433.91-Million from January to May 2014, up 190% versus the P149.59-Million worth of drugs and chemicals seized during the whole of 2013.

The BOC’s Enforcement and Security Service (ESS) has been on an active campaign against illegal drugs with numerous apprehensions of suspected big-time illegal traffickers and their contrabands in the last five years. The National Law Enforcement Coordinating Committee (NALECC), an anti-illegal drugs body composed of various government offices with law enforcement duties, lauded the Bureau of Customs for having the most number of drug-related accomplishments from 2010 up to May 2014 with 139 apprehensions of illegal drugs and chemicals worth over P1.1-Billion.

“The success of our anti-drug operations is the result of improved intelligence work and tactical approach. We will relentlessly go after these drug dealers and traffickers,” said Customs Enforcement and Security Service Director Willie Tolentino.

“Rest assured that the Customs police will not waver in the enforcement of laws and performance of their duties. We are glad to help in the government’s efforts to curve the illegal drugs trade in the country. I also laud our ESS personnel for their courage in the face of dangers to life and limb, coming in various forms with viciousness, given the sophistication and financial resources of the drug syndicates.”

Last May, joint operatives of BOC and PDEA busted an online drug dealing operation that led to the arrest of Prabhjot Singh Gill, a suspected big-time supplier and distributor of “Ecstasy.” Customs officials are also working on increased coordination with PDEA following an increase in incidents of drugs being smuggled through personal effects like stuffed toys, toiletries and other ordinary items.