THE Bureau of Customs (BoC) said on Tuesday that more modern X-ray machines would be installed at the country’s international airports.
Customs Commissioner Bievenido Rubio said the installation of Rapiscan 920CT X-ray machines and Tek84 Intercept body scanners would result in fast and accurate detection of illicit items.
“These advancements are set to significantly enhance the BoC’s capability to secure the nation’s borders and prevent the entry of illegal items into the country. We are continuously updating and enhancing our machines to meet international standards and fortify our border protection measures,” Rubio said, adding the use of scanners led to the recent interception of drug mules, including South African Phillip Theunissen.
Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio. Photo from Bureau of Customs
Theunissen, who arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 on Saturday from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, was arrested for trying to smuggle into the country 6.2 kilos of methamphetamine hydrochloride worth P42.1 million.
“Many transnational syndicates and organizations continue to use our ports as corridors to smuggle illegal drugs and disseminate them from Metro Manila to far-flung provinces. With many others, our agents were hard at work in disrupting these criminal networks,” Rubio said.
In April, BoC operatives seized P218.48 million worth of methamphetamine hydrochloride from a Zimbabwean drug mule through an X-ray inspection.
Be the first to comment