PDEA to look into criminal liabilities of transportation services used as illegal drug couriers

February 27, 2020

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) on Thursday said they will look into possible criminal liabilities of transportation services which are being used as couriers by illegal drug suppliers.

In a press briefing in Quezon City, PDEA Deputy Director General Greg Pimentel said illegal drug suspects are using new trends in trafficking illicit drugs.

“I mean illicit trends because they are making use of online platform,” he said.

“All (online services) we are dealing with you now. We are looking at the possibility of your criminal liabilities and we are looking also on how to regulate this to a better inspection of cargos or other items being delivered,” he said.

Pimentel made the statement after PDEA operatives arrested a former model in Taytay, Rizal who is allegedly using online transactions in selling and delivering illegal drugs.

He said the confiscated paraphernalia, including several drug tooters, are available in online shops.

“These platforms are used not only for selling, they also used these platforms in trafficking so you can expect this illegal drugs knocking at your door steps. Payments are also being done online. So these are the new trends and challenges PDEA is facing today,” Pimentel said.

“We are now looking on the possible liability of this (transportation) platform operators because illegal drugs are moving to the right market and being sold by operators unchecked unlike our local couriers who have processing methods,” he added.

Unlike the usual local couriers, transportation services receive package from the sender and they are prohibited to check the item making them more at risk in the modus of illegal drugs sellers and suppliers.

To protect and stop them from being used by illegal drugs suspects, Pimentel said they will talk to the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).

“We are still studying it and I’m not saying they should stop (their service) but what we are saying is they are being used in transporting illegal drugs. That is our problem. They should have checking process so maybe we will be dealing with LTO or LTFRB on this matter,” he said.

“We request the franchise agency of these mobility platforms to look on this matter,” he said.

Pimentel said this easy transportation access boost the rampant operation of illegal drugs in the country.

The PDEA officer-in-charge said they sent a letter to Lazada online services about the availability of drug paraphernalia on their website and they might send another communication as there are still items posted online.

Based on the photos screen grabbed by PDEA, the average price of a drug paraphernalia in Lazada is around P2,000.

“What we are saying here is illegal drugs is a business with no restrictions, anybody who is enterprising enough, who has networks and wants to make money are free to do so… highly profitable,” Pimentel said.

“Drugs is a very good business that we need to address,” he added. Ella Dionisio/DMS