PDEA, cargo firm sign MOA to help stop drug smuggling

CEBU, Philippines —  The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and a Cebu-based cargo logistics company have signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) as part of the efforts to put a stop to smuggling and transportation of dangerous drugs and materials.

In the MOA signed last July 4, 2024, PDEA and ALiN Cargo Express Corporation (ALiN Cargo) has agreed to work together to help prevent smuggling, and transportation, or transshipment of dangerous drugs or controlled precursors and essential chemicals, including instruments, and equipment used in the administration and manufacture of illegal drugs.

Under the MOA, the cargo company has an obligation to promptly report to PDEA packages, cargoes, mails, and parcels suspected to be containing dangerous drugs or controlled precursors and essential chemicals.

Along with reporting to PDEA, the cargo company would need to immediately turnover to the former the confiscated/seized packages that contain such illegal items.

The MOA was signed by PDEA director general Undersecretariat Moro Virgilio Lazo, the chairman and chief executive officer of ALiN Cargo Israel Alin, and lawyer Ramy Armenion, managing director of ALiN Cargo.

“The endeavor to rid the society of the menace the dangerous drugs problem may be realized through, among others, the steadfast and impermeable coordination and cooperation between PDEA and ALiN Cargo in putting an end to the smuggling, transportation, or transshipment of dangerous drugs or controlled precursors and essential chemicals as well as instruments, paraphernalia, apparatuses, and equipment used in the administration and manufacture of the same,” part of the eight-page MOA reads.

The MOA stated that there is a need to monitor and if warranted by circumstances, in coordination with the ALiN Cargo, inspect all cargoes, parcels and mails in their offices, which appear from the package and address itself to be a possible importation of dangerous drugs and/or controlled precursors and essential chemicals.

“The contracting parties hereby agree and jointly undertake to closely coordinate and render mutual assistance to the fullest extent with each other in the continuation and further enhancement of the organized and systematic implementation of their respective mandates,” the MOA notes.

Both parties shall also agree to continuously consult with each other by way of periodic meetings, dialogues, and workshops with the end-view of improving the partnership to integrate efforts to combat the said transport of illegal packages.

Under the MOA, PDEA will establish a comprehensive information collection plan that shall enable the contracting parties to obtain information on illegal drug activities from sources at all levels.

This plan shall also include the National Drug Information System as the repository of all drug-related information on drug activities from sources at all levels.

PDEA will also assist the contracting parties in processing and analyzing information on packages, cargoes, mail and parcels suspected to be involved in drug-related activities through the conduct of joint investigations, among others.

Operation

Meanwhile, about P2.4 million worth of shabu was seized by the Philippine National Police Drug Enforcement Group Special Operation Unit (PNP DEG SOU)-7 during a buybust operation in Gaisano St. Barangay Tejero Cebu City past 9:30 pm, July 5, 2024.

Arrested during the operation was Ray-ann Salvador Quijano, 37, a former person deprived of liberty (PDL), and is considered a High Value Individual.

According to authorities, they received information about Quijano’s illegal activity so they conducted a week of surveillance before conducting the buy-bust operation where large packages of alleged shabu weighing 350 grams worth about P2.4 million were found in a paper bag.

Quijano himself said he was imprisoned in 2015 and was released in the month of August 2022. He said he has been back for five months in the illegal trade, wherein he delivers illegal drugs at least three times a month from his friend, who is in Abuyog Leyte for P10,000 per delivery.

He will be charged with violation of Sec.5 and Sec.11 Art II RA 9165 Comprehensive Dangerous Drug Act of 2002. (CEBU NEWS)