The Bureau of Customs at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport has intercepted 35,345 tablets of diazepam with the brand name Valium and nitrazepam with the brand name Mogadon with an estimated street value of P1.8 million
These were discovered during an inspection and examination of parcels at Paircargo warehouse.
Records showed that the cargo was shipped by a certain “Muztaza and brother” from Pakistan and was misdeclared as health care products.
Diazepam and nitrazepam are included in the 1971 United Nations Single Convention on Psychotropic Substances under Schedule IV. Both have addictive properties and characteristics and considered as highly regulated drugs.
Investigation also bared the seized tablets were unlawfully imported into the country without the required license to operate and certificate of product registration from the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) and import permit from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency pursuant to the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 or Republic Act No. 9165.
These have been turned over to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) for further investigation and case profiling and buildup against personalities involved in the unlawful and fraudulent importation and prosecution for violation of RA 9165 in relation to Sections 118 (Prohibited Importation), 1113 (Goods Liable for Seizure and Forfeiture), and 1401 (Unlawful Importation) of the Republic Act 10863, otherwise known as the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA).