Manila—On January 19, the United States government donated two vehicles valued at P2.1 million ($39,400) to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) to enhance its international anti-drug operations at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and Clark International Airport.
Donated by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), the vehicles will assist PDEA’s Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group (IADITG) in its efforts to prevent the entry and exit of illegal drugs and substances used to manufacture illegal drugs through the two airports. In particular, the new vehicles will boost the mobility of law enforcement personnel and transport narcotics-detection dogs in both airports.
“The United States is committed to this partnership, through which we believe we can foster and enhance the international cooperation needed to effectively combat transnational criminal networks and drug trafficking,” visiting INL Acting Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Lisa Johnson said at the turnover ceremony in Manila.
The IADITG was established to bolster the government’s efforts to address drug interdiction challenges in major entry points.
In 2021, Clark IADITG seized a total of 3.34 kilograms of shabu (methamphetamine) worth P22.3 million ($410,000) while NAIA IADITG confiscated a total of 8.96 kilograms of shabu worth nearly P60 million ($1.1 million).
PDEA expressed appreciation for the continued partnership with the U.S. government to support its campaign to stop the transit of illegal drugs through the Philippines.
This vehicle donation is part of a broader INL counternarcotics program in the Philippines through partnerships with PDEA and other agencies. (PR)
