Customs, anti-narcotics agency vow cooperation

THE Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the Bureau of Customs (BOC) vowed to strengthen their partnership to intensify their participation in the government’s crackdown against illegal drugs.

PDEA Director General Aaron Aquino said he discussed in a meeting Tuesday, November 6, with newly-installed BOC Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero measures to ensure close coordination between the two agencies particularly in preventing the illegal entry of illegal drugs in the country.

Aquino said Guerrero agreed with his proposal for joint PDEA-BOC workshops, work plan sched- ules, and regular inspection of goods at the BOC, including the importation of controlled precursors and essential chemicals.

He said the PDEA and BOC will sign an amended Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to strengthen the cooperation to effectively address the trafficking or the possible entry of drug contrabands, including the importation of Controlled Precursors and Essential Chemicals (CPECS).

“PDEA, as the lead agency in the national anti-drug campaign, continues to strengthen its relationship with its partners and counterparts for a more resolute, wide and all-encompassing effort to address the drug problem which is one of the most serious problems facing our country today,” Aquino said.

Guerrero was appointed as the new BOC commissioner after the controversial discovery of magnetic lifters with P6.4-billion shabu (methamphetamine hydrochloride) in Valenzuela City and empty magnetic lifters in Cavite that were believed to have contained illegal drugs worth P11 billion.

During the turnover of office, Guerrero said he will prioritize programs to fight corruption in the agency as well as to remove corrupt officials and personnel./ Sunstar Philippines