MANILA — About PHP1.5 million worth of suspected methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), more popularly known as “ecstasy”, were seized by combined forces of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the NAIA Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group (NAIA IADITG) at the PhilPost Office in Pasay City.
In his report to PDEA Director General Aaron N. Aquino, Ismael G. Fajardo Jr. of PDEA Regional Office – National Capital Region (PDEA RO-NCR) said a duty examiner of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) informed the NAIA-IADITG that a suspicious package from The Netherlands yielded an organic substance when it passed through the cargo X-ray screening machine last April 5.
To confirm the information, PDEA K9 inspected the suspicious package and the Narcotic Detection Dog (NDD) indicated behavior for the presence of dangerous drug.
The package, containing 962 tablets with an estimated street value of PHP1.5 million, was concealed inside a rectangular pouch.
Fajardo said coordination was made with the management of the foreign cargo company to inform the consignee that the package was ready for pick-up.
At about 11 a.m. on Friday, joint elements of PDEA RO-NCR and NAIA-IADITG arrested the consignee, identified as Monica D. Santos, 20, resident of No. 159 Tomas Morato St.corner Kamuning St., Barangay Obrero, Quezon City, after she fetched the package.
The package was sent by a certain Samson Santos from The Netherlands.
A case of violation of Section 4 (Importation of Dangerous Drugs) under Article II, of Republic Act No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 will be filed in court against the female Santos, who is under the custody of PDEA RO-NCR.
The identity and information of the shipper indicated in the parcel is the subject of investigation and validation. (With reports from Jay Ray Masayda, OJT/PNA)
