Much has been written about the problem of illegal drugs, how it kills people and enriches drug lords and how the contraband ends up on our streets.
In May 2022, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes released a report that sent alarm bells ringing in most parts of the ASEAN region, including the Philippines.
The report entitled “Synthetic Drugs in East and Southeast Asia: Latest Developments and Challenges in 2022” was accompanied by a stern warning of the dire consequences that could result if illegal drugs were left unchecked. It noted the expansion of the hugely profitable drug trade in the region “with production and trafficking hitting record levels in 2021.”
Malaysia was identified as the major transit point for trafficking illegal shipments to the Philippines, Indonesia, Japan, Australia and New Zealand, through the facilities and enormous influence of powerful organized crime groups.
Not only a local but a global concern, illegal drugs and their traffickers continue to be major threats to a country’s economy (that shoulders expensive health care and rehabilitation measures) and to its population’s health and safety. Think about the staggering social costs brought about by its entry into our shores: addiction, broken homes, mental issues and deaths.
An estimated 1.8 million Filipinos are said to be drug users, says the Dangerous Drugs Board, with 4.8 million more admitting they had taken illegal drugs at least once in their lives. The most common drugs of choice are methamphetamine hydrochloride (shabu), cannabis or marijuana, party drugs like Ecstasy, inhalants and hazardous solvents.
Blessed by infinite natural resources and stunning landscapes, the Philippines’ archipelagic nature has one drawback: its renowned but largely unmanned coastlines dotted with postcard-pretty beaches of shimmering sand and surfer waves make it an enticing and tempting drop-off or transit point for big shipments of smuggled drugs.
Given this scenario, the BoC remains relentless in its commitment to ensuring that no contraband cargo passes through, with seemingly proper documents or sans inspection abetted by unscrupulous employees tagged as “players” or “fixers.”
We have been combating organized crime and narcotics smuggling for so many years now and I am confident that we are making strides as we sustain improved border protection performance through numerous initiatives.
In 2022, the BoC recorded 107 drug bust operations resulting in the seizure of more than P11.954 billion worth of illegal drugs.
We had 29 seizures of shabu (P11,845,427,600), 13 Ecstasy (P38,666,200), 10 liquid marijuana (P1,647,369.12), 27 marijuana (P11,198,256.79), 8 Ketamine (P11,656,927.50) and 4 cocaine (P44,518,500), among others. A total of 34 personalities were arrested and turned over to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, the agency where I came from before I joined BoC.
Digitization and active collaboration with the PDEA and other local and foreign law enforcement agencies involved in the implementation and enforcement of anti-drug laws have played a significant role in achieving positive results in the fight against drug smuggling.
We have implemented initiatives such as the acquisition of more X-ray equipment to enhance detection capabilities, and the continuous training of BoC frontliners and law enforcement personnel to update their knowledge and skills in combatting drug smuggling.
We also established the Customs Operations Center, which monitors real-time examinations of shipments nationwide through advanced technology. We have upgraded our intelligence capabilities by implementing the newly developed National Customs Intelligence System.
The drug menace should be everybody’s concern, not just those directly or indirectly affected by it. The government remains persistent in its efforts in brainstorming solutions to the root causes of the problem not only with various agencies but with schools, communities and families. Taking a different tack or approach could help stop the increase or proliferation of illegal or banned substances.
Investing in additional new machines to detect contraband cleverly camouflaged and buried under legitimate imports and more coordinated intelligence-sharing arrangements between the BoC, drug enforcement agencies, local police and their counterparts overseas can boost efforts to combat the threat.
Last week, Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. called on generals and full colonels of the Philippine National Police to turn in their courtesy resignations as he expressed concern over the alleged involvement of several police officers in the illegal drug trade. A bold and daring move, but in the Secretary’s own words, “the only way to make a fresh start.”
As one of the original graduates of the PDEA Academy, my training tells me that it is always best to attack the supply chain by preventing these illegal drugs from landing on our soil so that the evils that these drugs bring will not set foot on our land.
Curbing the drug menace is not just a personal crusade that I pledged to the President; to me, it is a God-sent mission.