PDEA tells drivers of Uber, Grab to open packages sent to them

September 28, 2017

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) encouraged the operators of transportation network vehicles services (TNVS) Grab and Uber to open packages sent through their drivers.

PDEA Director General Aaron Aquino said opening packages will prevent their drivers from being used as drug couriers.

“To Grab and Uber operators and drivers, please exercise due diligence to prevent your line of work from being tainted with involvement with illegal drug activities,” said PDEA Director General Aaron Aquino  after a meeting with the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board and operations of Grab and Uber Thursday.

“Report suspected packages directly to us,” Aquino said.

The meeting took place after Jovit Atillano, a suspected ecstasy dealer admitted he has been hiring the services of TVNS drivers to deliver packages containing illegal drugs to his online clients.

The suspect, who yielded 500 pieces of party drugs and other illegal drugs worth P 1 million, was arrested by PDEA agents on September 19 in his condominium unit in Mandaluyong City.

Aquino is seeking a memorandum of understanding among PDEA, LTFRB, Uber and Grab to discuss policies in coping with a trend of using public transport in delivering illegal drugs.

The signing of the memorandum is set tentatively in the second week of October. DMS