Title
Rules for PDEA Customs Drug Interdiction
Law
Boc Customs Memorandum Order No. 26-2003
Decision Date
Aug 26, 2003
Customs Memorandum Order No. 026-03 establishes rules and regulations to strengthen the support mechanism for the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and ensure effective containment and interdiction of illicit drug trafficking at all Philippine ports of entry and customs zones.
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Prohibited Acts and Liability

  • Prohibited acts under Section 4 of RA 9165 are adopted.
  • Parties liable under Section 4 of RA 9165 are liable under these rules.

Documentation and Monitoring

  • Import, export, and transshipment documents for chemicals and pharmaceutical products must be furnished to the Task Force on Dangerous Drugs and Controlled Chemicals for monitoring.
  • Shipments of dangerous drugs and controlled chemicals are subject to 100% examination at ports of entry.

Authorization and Document Handling

  • PDEA import/export/transit permits are transmitted directly to Deputy Task Group Commander for Operations or Deputy Task Force Commander of concerned ports.
  • Required documents include IEIRD Form (BC Form 236), Bill of Lading/Air Way Bill, Commercial Invoice, Packing List, Technical Manuals (MSDS, Certificate of Analysis), governmental permits/licenses, and other relevant documents.
  • Detailed declarations must use proper chemical and pharmaceutical nomenclature.

Selectivity System for Non-Listed Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals

  • At ACOS-equipped ports, shipments classified as RED channel undergo 100% examination with Task Force witness.
  • YELLOW channel shipments undergo document verification; examination may be conducted if doubtful.
  • GREEN channel shipments may be released unless alerted/held.
  • At non-ACOS ports, paragraphs on 100% examination apply.
  • SUPER GREEN LANE shipments require submission of full documents to the Task Force Commander.

Recording and Examination Procedure

  • Separate logbooks maintained by Deputy Task Force Commander/ESS District Commander.
  • Import documents are stamped "RECORDED" by Task Force Core Team Operations Officer with signature, date, and time.
  • Upon receipt, COOIII coordinates with Task Force Core Team for examination and reporting.
  • Clearances issued immediately if shipments are in order; permits marked "USED" upon release.
  • Discrepancies or labeling issues trigger alert order and sampling for laboratory analysis.

Reporting Requirements

  • Used and unused PDEA/DDB permits transmitted weekly or within specified periods.
  • Reports on shipments under Alert/Hold or referred by COOIII are submitted weekly with details and actions taken.

Administrative Provisions

  • Immediate physical inventory, photographing, and documentation of seized dangerous drugs/paraphernalia.
  • Continuous monitoring of weighing, sampling, and chain of custody.
  • Confiscated specimens submitted within 24 hours to accredited labs for confirmatory testing.
  • Seized dangerous drugs turned over to PDEA after summary forfeiture decision and compliance with preservation formalities.
  • Regular customs forfeiture procedure applied for other interceptions.
  • Entire process under Customs Task Force supervision.
  • Coordination requirements for outside agencies operating in Customs zones.
  • Procedures for apprehended persons including joint investigation with PDEA and case prosecution.
  • Investigation reports submitted to Deputy Task Group Commanders and relevant agencies for recording and sharing with foreign counterparts.
  • Continuous case monitoring by assigned investigators until final court decision.

Duties and Responsibilities

  • Director, ESS (Deputy Task Group Commander for Operations): operational control and supervision over Task Forces; ensures coordination with Customs offices.
  • Director, CIIS (Deputy Task Group Commander for Intelligence): dissemination of intelligence and briefing Task Forces.
  • District Collector of Customs: operational supervision and coordination; ensures referral of import documents.
  • ESS District Commander (Deputy Task Force Commander for Operations): supervises Task Force Core Team and data collection; ensures support to Core Team.
  • Task Force Core Team: verifies import documents, cross-checks PDEA permits, maintains official records, enforces customs rules, and coordinates field operations.
  • CIIS/ESS Field Operatives: identify suspect shipments/personnel and notify Task Force.
  • X-ray Scanning Team: coordinate with Task Force Core Team; notify of suspicious items.
  • Search and Boarding Teams: composed as needed from Task Force members and relevant divisions.
  • Follow-up outside Customs zones and dog sweeps coordinated with PDEA.
  • Duty/assigned Examiners: conduct examinations on suspect shipments.
  • Philippine Customs Laboratory: establish drug identification and profiling system in coordination with Task Force.

Repealing Clause

  • All prior inconsistent Orders, Memoranda, Circulars or parts thereof are deemed repealed or modified accordingly.

Effectivity

  • The Order takes effect immediately upon issuance.

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