Air and seaports of the Philippines are no longer importation haven for illegal drugs syndicates following aggressive measures implemented that include intensified intelligence coordination efforts among government agencies, Bureau of Customs (BOC) Commissioner Yogi Filemon L. Ruiz disclosed on Tuesday, Nov. 22.
In fact, Ruiz said the illegal drugs syndicates are also having difficulty importing even the chemicals being used in the manufacture of illegal drugs as revealed by the two separate raids in an exclusive subdivision in Ayala, Alabang last week that resulted in the confiscation of almost P150 million worth of shabu.
“The raid that was conducted in Alabang was against a kitchen-type. That goes to show that there is no longer importation, they are now afraid to import because of our serious campaign against illegal drugs,” said Ruiz during the Manila Bulletin Hotseat interview.
At least five people, including two foreigners, were arrested during two separate raids in Alabang based on the intelligence build-up of the BOC, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA).
“They are now producing locally-sourced chemicals and that is a positive development for us because that goes to show that they are having a hard time importing because of the initiatives that the BOC is doing right now,” said Ruiz who started his career in the government as agent of the PDEA in 2006.
He is among the pioneer graduates of the PDEA Academy.
Black eye
In 2018, the BOC figured in a serious controversy over the importation of almost P7 billion worth of shabu that entered into the country through a port in Manila.
Top BOC officials were sacked and charged in connection with the incident that happened at the height of the drug war.
The controversy also showed a weak link in coordination and intervention efforts of government agencies, particularly between the PDEA and the BOC.
Eyes on the ports
Ruiz said all the ports and seaports are now heavily-guarded by intervention measures that include intelligence-driven systematic approaches.
The series of controlled delivery operations of illegal drugs and raids in the past months, according to Ruiz, are but proof that such approaches have been working.
“I’m very proud to say that all our collection offices are very active in interdicting these (illegal drugs) shipments,” said Ruiz.
Billions seized
Since he assumed the top BOC post, Ruiz said they have already seized almost P12 billion worth of illegal drugs and chemical precursors.
He said these included shabu, ecstasy, marijuana, liquid marijuana and ketamine.