THE Bureau of Customs has mobilized all its postal units under the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) to strengthen monitoring and inspection of all parcels entering the country through the mails to stop the entry of illegal drugs and other contraband.

CIIS Postal Unit head Alvin Enciso said the group received marching orders from Customs Deputy Commissioner Danilo Lim to strictly enforce security procedures on all parcels, especially for those declared as regulated items such as drugs, food products and firearms.

“So far, we have been able to stop attempts to smuggle out goods and parcels that have not undergone customs examination and inspection. Some of our operations yielded shipments that have not paid correct duties and taxes, while we are still conducting follow-up operations on some leads that we have gotten from earlier interceptions,” Enciso said.

He said that some CIIS postal personnel have already been suspended for colluding with unscrupulous importers who are using the mails in their operations

The group is also investigating incidents that involve the nonpayment of proper duties resulting in losses to the government.

At the moment, the group will check on shipments of accessories and reloading machine for ammunition at the Pasay Central Main Exchange Center to determine if these have government permits and have been duly inspected by customs officers.                                                                                              

“We are working closely with the Postal Office Intelligence and Inspection Unit and so far, we have managed to plug the loopholes in the system. But rest assured that we are constantly monitoring the goods that enter our unit to ensure that they do not bear smuggled products,” Enciso said.