IN this time of the pandemic, it’s so hard to comprehend how and why some unscrupulous elements manage to continue with the illegal drug trade.
Most of the major activities all around the world, including here in our very own country, have seemed to either come to a halt or slowed down as the discovery of a drug against COVID-19 is being eagerly awaited by everyone.
Online businesses thrive in this time of pandemic. Sadly, illegal drug activities also continue to exist at a time when most people are expected to have limited or no financial resources to spare anymore.
Good thing, those manning our borders are not letting their guards down.
Over at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) terminals for instance, the Bureau of Customs-NAIA authorities recently seized vape cartridges with liquid marijuana.
These liquids were misdeclared as food flavorings. The seizure totalling 62 pieces of vape juice catridges containing liquid marijuana were from parcels that remained unclaimed at the Central Mail Exchange Center (CMEC). The vape package with said liquid marijuana was reporteldy shipped by a certain Roger Bowman from Amsterdam, Netherlands and consigned to a certain Dee Sy of San Juan City. Field tests conducted by the Customs Anti-Illegal Drug Task Force (CAIDTF) and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) confirmed that the vape juices contained tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). Both compounds are found in marijuana.
The PDEA stressed that the importation of marijuana and its compounds, components and derivatives is prohibited under Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
In coordination with PDEA and NAIA Inter-Agency Task Force, the seized vape juice catridges were turned over to PDEA on September 1, 2020.
This is to give way to further investigation and for the possible prosecution of individuals involved in the illegal importation and for violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 in relation to the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (RA No. 10863).
BOC- NAIA authorities have vowed to remain alert against all attempts to bring into the country any form of illegal goods. This, according to them, is in strict compliance with the directives of BOC Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero who has a standing order for everyone to be vigilant in guarding the country’s borders. Congratulations and kudos are in order to BOC-NAIA authorities. Despite the COVID pandemic, they continue working round-the-clock and maintain the same kind of work schedule even during weekends and holidays.
They tirelessly collect government revenues, facilitate trade and more importantly, guard the country’s borders against all fraudulent attempts to bring in illegal goods into the country. The confiscation done last August 22, 2020 was the 95th record-breaking drug bust of the BoC-NAIA in just a span of two years. Wow! If this ain’t an achievement, I don’t know what is.
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Beauty tip— Limit outdoor activities between 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.and by using sunblock with sunproof factor of 50 and above. This will protect your skin. (Source: Dr Rosary May Canay-Diaz of Californian Bloom Aesthetic Institute and Medical Spa /168 Branch-09773726628/87010887/ Valezuela-09560895596/87010890/E. Rodriguez-09560895598/87010899/ Website: www.californianbloom.com.ph/ Facebook:CALIFORNIAN BLOOM)
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Jokjok (from Emmanuel Suratos of Sampaloc, Manila )— Sa kalagitnaan ng giyera…Pedro: Sumuko na kayo! Wala rin kayong mapapala!/ Terorista: Susuko lang kami kung mai-spell mo yung ceasefire/ Pedro: (ceasefire?naku di ko alam kahiyaan na ‘’to ) Ituloy ang laban! Patay kung patay! Padadalhan ko kayo ng crysanthemum sa inyong libing!/Terorista: Spell chrysanthemum!/Pedro: Ha? Ah… eh…Laban kung laban!!
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