Courier firms in Bacolod asked: Check parcels for drugs

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines – Police authorities have asked private courier firms here to examine all parcels for delivery, as a suspected drug dealer arrested last Monday yielded shabu worth P7 million stuffed in the soles of 10 pairs of sandals sent in a package.

Senior Superintendent Larry Decena, officer-in-charge of the Bacolod police, met on Wednesday with representatives of courier service companies here to ask them to strictly examine all cargoes and packages before delivery as these may contain illegal drugs.

Decena said he would assign K-9 dogs and police handlers to the warehouses of courier firms to check cargoes for possible contraband.

Police also requested the city council to pass a resolution requiring all cargo forwarders to check packages before delivery.

Decena clarified though they are not requiring the courier firms to open the cargoes, but only to let these pass through K-9 dogs.

The shabu seized last Monday was sent via courier service, with the suspected drug dealer claiming the parcel in a mall here.

The shabu was placed in 20 plastic sachets stuffed into the sandals’ soles, covered with carbon paper so it could not be easily detected by X-ray or scanning machines used by courier firms, police said.