AUTHORITIES recently intercepted P16.9 million worth of ecstasy or party drugs at the Clark International Airport.
The Bureau of Customs (BOC) said the illegal drugs were concealed inside a parcel of bed sheets, lady bags, shoes and other items shipped from Brussels, Belgium.
During an X-Ray and physical examination, a Customs inspector noticed an unusual package wrapped around bedsheets.
Inside the box were approximately 9,948 pieces of colored tablets to be ecstasy or the "love pill." It allegedly heightens the perception of color and sounds and amplifies sensations when one touches or caresses another person, particularly when making love.
K9 units inside the airport manned by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) confirmed the presence of illegal drugs inside the parcel.
Samples of the seized narcotics were turned over to PDEA for chemical laboratory analysis which later confirmed that the tablets are Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) or ecstasy.
District Collector Alexandra Lumontad issued a Warrant of Seizure and Detention against the subject shipment for violation of Sections 1400, 118 (g), 119 (d) and 1113 par. f, i & l (3 & 4) of Republic Act (RA) 10863 otherwise known as the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA) in relation to RA 9165 otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
On November 5, 2021, a controlled delivery operation was conducted by the authorities to the consignee’s address at Barangay Tatalon, Quezon City which resulted in the arrest of the claimant, which the PDEA confirmed as Elisha Mae Y. Ilas, 21, resident of BMA corner Kaliraya, Barangay Tatalon, Quezon City.
Authorities led by agents of PDEA-Central Luzon together with PDEA-National Capital Region, Bureau of Customs-Port of Clark, Quezon City District Office Philippine National Police Station 11 seized the illegal drugs from the lady consignee.
Ilas was arrested after accepting the package from a PDEA agent who acted as a courier service messenger.
The subject illegal drugs will be turned over to PDEA pursuant to Customs Administrative Order No. 03-2020 and the claimant will be subjected to inquest proceedings.
The Port of Clark vowed to intensify its effort against illegal drugs to support President Duterte's war against prohibited drugs.