The Bureau of Customs on Monday intercepted an estimated P24.4 million worth of Misoprostol (Cytotec), co-amoxiclav pills at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3.
NAIA Customs personnel stopped two Filipino passengers on board SQ918 Flight from Singapore, Reuben Jesse Bautista and Glenn More Gaddi after their baggage showed image irregularity during the x-ray examination.
The customs examiner, who conducted the examination in the presence of the customs appraisers, Enforcement Security Service agent, Customs Anti-Illegal Drugs Task Force (CAIDTF) supervisor, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and Xray Inspection Project agents, found 34,910 tablets of Pfizer Cytotec Misoprostol 200 UG; 40,000 tablets of oral Pfizer Cytotec Comprimidos Misoprostol 200 MCG; and 3,500 tablets of Augmentin 625 MF Film Tablet Co-Amoxiclav after conducting 100% physical examination. CAIDTF agents confirmed that the seized tablets are used for illegal abortion.
Customs agents requested the passengers to present the import declaration and corresponding Food and Drug Administration import permit.
However, the customs examiner said, “they failed to declare their importation and the corresponding FDA import permit which led to the seizure of the baggage.”
The Deputy Collector for Passenger Services recommended a warrant of seizure and detention to NAIA District Collector Edgar Macabeo for violation of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act Section 118, Bureau of Food and Drugs advisory no. 02-02ii and Food, Drugs, Devices and Cosmetics Act.
The BFAD advisory warns all drugstore owners, pharmacists, consumers and all others concerned against dispensing/selling and using an unregistered drug product known as Misoprostol (Cytotec).
Moreover, the advisory said the manufacture, importation, exportation, sale, offering for sale distribution, of transfer of any drug or device which is not registered with the Bureau is considered a violation of R.A. 3720 as amended otherwise known as the “Food, Drugs, Devices and Cosmetics Act”.
The three baggage are now at the In-Bond Room at Terminal 3 while the investigation is still pending.# BoC-pr
