The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the Wallstreet Courier Services Incorporated (Ninja Van) signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) on Tuesday, June 15, in a bid to address the problem of drug trafficking using the courier service providers.

Ninja Van is a technology company that operates a mobile and web application matching its accredited drivers with consumers in need of delivery services in certain areas in the Philippines.

Under the MOA, PDEA and Ninja Van agreed to cooperate and coordinate closely with each other and exchange best practices and knowledge to combat transportation of dangerous drugs, or controlled precursor and essential chemicals (CPECs).

Both parties vowed to synchronize their efforts to interdict and prevent the express delivery and/or transportation of packages containing illegal drugs into the country including gathering of information, monitoring and identification of suspected drug trafficking activities.

“There is an increasing prevalence involving delivery courier services as mode of trafficking dangerous drugs. They have become unknowing drug couriers by accepting delivery orders from persons engaged in illegal drug trade,” PDEA Director-General Wilkins Villanueva said.

Villanueva noted that drug syndicates find creative ways to distribute illegal drugs even in the face of the coronavirus pandemic.

“The safest way to move illegal drugs is the absence of human contact. They resort to delivery service platforms to make the delivery of illicit goods close to undetectable,” he added.

Prior to the signing of the agreement, PDEA has also entered into partnerships with other domestic courier companies to help intercept packages containing illegal drugs and prevent them from being delivered.

“A collaborative culture with various stakeholders of the anti-drug campaign, is one of the best paths in ending a gargantuan problem like illegal drugs,” the PDEA chief said.