Customs seized P1.173B worth of drugs under Duterte

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has confiscated P1.173-billion worth of various kinds of illegal drugs since President Rodrigo Duterte assumed office, it said Friday.

BOC acting spokesperson for enforcement and intelligence operations Neil Anthony Estrella said confiscated illegal drugs include P927 million worth of shabu obtained in 11 operations, P17.046 million worth of ecstasy obtained in four operations, and P227.768 million worth of cocaine obtained in eight operations.

He said the biggest catch was on July 3 in Claveria, Cagayan, where 180 plastic bags of shabu worth P900 million were confiscated.

“Commissioner (Nicanor) Faeldon stresses the Bureau will continue to support President Rodrigo Duterte’s campaign against illegal drugs by strictly guarding our seaports and airports,” Estrella said.

The BOC also reported that it has seized various counterfeit products in Pasay City, Bulacan, and Pangasinan in November.

The total amount of seized products is P775 million.

“BOC will remain tough against smuggling. We will pursue them in the farthest border of the country,” Estrella said quoting Faeldon.

He said the bureau’s anti-smuggling campaign contributes to its revenue collection, which increased for the month of October to P33.365 billion.

The amount, Estrella said, is 89.3 percent of the target P37.344 billion, and is P39 million higher compared to the amount collected for the month of September. —NB, GMA News