PDEA, BOC ink cooperation pact vs. smuggling of illegal drugs

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the Bureau of Customs (BOC) signed Thursday a memorandum of agreement to strengthen their collaboration against smuggling of illegal drugs.

Under the new agreement, the PDEA and BOC will strengthen operational coordination.

This is through advanced intelligence-sharing, integrated systems, and joint operations targeting the smuggling, importation, transportation, and transshipment of dangerous drugs, controlled precursors, and essential chemicals.

"A central feature of the partnership is the establishment of a Drug Interdiction Task Group, designed to foster closer collaboration between PDEA and BOC," the anti-illegal drug agency said.

"The task group will oversee intelligence exchange, joint investigation of suspected drug smuggling activities, and sharing of best practices and operational expertise," it added.

Digital innovation will also be a cornerstone of the partnership, according to the PDEA.

This includes integrated databases, pre-shipment inspection systems, and modernized scanning facilities designed to make border security more resilient and harder for syndicates to circumvent.

The signing ceremony was held at the PDEA National Headquarters in Quezon City, with PDEA Director General Undersecretary Isagani Nerez and BOC Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno leading the rites.

Nerez said, "This agreement sends a clear message to drug syndicates: Our ports are not safe havens for drug trafficking. By combining PDEA's expertise with BOC's border control capabilities, we are determined to intercept illegal drugs before they reach our communities."

"Drug smuggling is a complex and evolving threat. Unified action across law enforcement agencies ensures that every opportunity to exploit our borders is met with swift, decisive action."

In its recent joint operation, the PDEA and BOC, in coordination with the Philippine National Police (PNP), seized 41 kilograms of shabu worth about P278 million in an interdiction operation at the Manila International Container Port (MICP) on February 10. — VDV, GMA Integrated News