Cebu port gets contraband detection equipment

CEBU, Philippines - The United States Government donated three units of CT-30-Contraband Detection Equipment Kit to the three ports of the Bureau of Customs, including the Port of Cebu.

BOC-Cebu District Collector Ronnie Silvestre said that one of the equipment was given to Cebu the other day to intensify further its contraband detection efforts. It is now under the custody of the Enforcement and Security Services. One set costs around P1 million. The tools and instruments can detect contraband in confined spaces.

Other recipients were the Ports of Cagayan de Oro and Zamboanga Cities.

The equipment was turned over by Michael McNamara, program advisor of the U.S. Department of State Export Control and Related Border Security and his staff members.

Silvestre said the equipment, which is portable, can detect contraband inside a container van without necessarily unloading the contents of the van. This helps for a quick and thorough inspection of suspicious cargoes.

“Meron siyang parang camera na maliit na pwede mong ipasok sa loob ng container van na kahit na yong nakatagong maliliit na pakete like drugs, it can still detect. So malaking tulong talaga ang equipment lalo na sa enforcement natin,” Silvestre said.

Silvestre added that the said equipment can also be used at the airport in detecting smuggled goods or items or chemicals of mass destruction.

“We are thankful that Cebu port is one of the beneficiaries. This is a government to government arrangement,” Silvestre said. (FREEMAN)