DAVAO CITY (March 21) — Customs personnel stationed at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) intercepted a package from Ontario, Canada which yielded thirteen (13) bottles containing 650 tablets of ‘Ephedrine’ inside.
The package was discovered in Central Mail Exchange Center on March 19, 2019.
Ephedrine is a medication and stimulant. It is often used to prevent low blood pressure during spinal anesthesia. It has also been used for asthma, narcolepsy, and obesity but is not the preferred treatment. It is of unclear benefit in nasal congestion.
But the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) has classified Ephedrine as dangerous drugs pursuant to Board Regulation No. 4, Series of 2005, has a similar chemical structure to amphetamines, and is a highly sought-after chemical precursor in the illicit manufacture of methamphetamine. The said tablets can be abused by athletes, some are even diagnosed of poisoning in a medicolegal death investigation.
The packaged was consigned to a Canadian national who was granted probational residency in the country.
The Customs together with Philpost personnel and the consignee inspected the package, after the later presented the Notice Card and his identification cards for said shipment.
Customs turned over to Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency seized the 650 tablets and the apprehended Canadian consignee for violation of R.A. 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act and R.A. 10863 or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act.
To date, Customs at NAIA has 35 record-breaking drug busts from March 2018 to March 2019.
Customs NAIA assured the public that its officers are working doubly hard, 24/7 to protect the borders.-EZC/NewsLine.ph
