BOC launches trace detection system vs terrorism, illegal drugs

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has launched 16 units of Trace Detection System (TDS) which shall be deployed in various ports nationwide from April to May 2022.

In a statement, the BOC said the TDS, or the NUCTECH TR3000DE, is a significant addition to the non-intrusive inspection capability of the Bureau as it is designed to detect explosives, narcotics, and drugs substances of small magnitude.

The detection, it said, is accomplished by sampling non-visible trace amounts of particulates from shipments.

"The newly-acquired system boasts a throughput of three times more than the traditional systems. The monitoring of the TDS is located at the Customs Operations Center, featured among its wide array of safety, enforcement, and security systems and manned by the ESS (Enforcement and Security Service) personnel," the statement read.

Two units each of the TDS were deployed to the Manila International Container Port and at Ninoy Aquino International Airport while one unit each to the Port of Cagayan De Oro, the Port of Manila, and the Customs Anti-Drug Task Force.

Meanwhile, the remaining units shall be deployed until May of this year, with two units each to the Port of Cebu and the Port of Davao, and one unit each to the Port of Zamboanga, the Port of Limay, the Port of Subic, Port of Clark, and the Port of Batangas.