The Bureau of Customs-Subport of Mactan and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Region 7 (Central Visayas) recently conducted a joint BoC-PDEA drug interdiction simulation exercise at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport Terminal 2.
During the simulation exercise, baggage with concealed samples of shabu, cannabis sativa, party drugs, and gamma butyrolactone (GBL) underwent X-ray scanning and were identified by the machine using color-coding technology.
Protocols under chain of custody rules which include physical inventory, marking and taking of photos in the presence of required witnesses, and official turnover of confiscated drugs to PDEA were also practiced.
“This exercise is part of our partnership with PDEA Region 7 to further increase our personnel’s competency to not only detect and apprehend drugs but also to practice proper handling to maintain the integrity of evidence every step of the way until turn over to PDEA,” said Subport of Mactan Collector Gerardo A. Campo.
Last week, Port of Cebu District Collector Atty. Charlito Martin R. Mendoza met PDEA Region 7 Director Levi S. Ortiz to finalize inter-agency cooperation for the round-the-clock deployment of PDEA’s drug-sniffing dogs at the Port of Cebu.