(Eagle News) — The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and the Bureau of Customs have agreed to create a joint special task force against the entry of illegal drugs.
The partnership was formalized in a memorandum of agreement signed between PDEA chief Aaron Aquino and Customs Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero on Thursday, Jan. 31.
According to Aquino, under the agreement, PDEA operatives would be allowed to conduct random inspections on the entry of controlled precursors and essential chemicals (CPECs) in the country.
He said this was unlike before, when PDEA’s role was limited only to “tak(ing) charge and hav(ing) custody of seized illegal drugs and CPECs during BOC’s anti-illegal drug operations and tak(ing) the lead role in the conduct of anti-drug operations and investigation.”
“Under the agreement, PDEA and BOC agree to observe utmost transparency to fulfil the conditions stated in the MOA, to create a drug interdiction Task Group to promote a closer working relationship between the parties, and exchange best practices and knowledge concerning smuggling, importation, transportation, and transshipment of dangerous drugs through seminars and workshops,” Aquino said in a statement.
