EXCLUSIVE: PDEA asked to inspect dredging vessels for drug smuggling

Senatro Raffy T. Tulfo said that the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) agents should be part of an inspection team that examines huge vessels arriving in the country to do dredging operations, the Senate Public Relations and Information Bureau reports.

During yesterday’s deliberation on the proposed 2025 budget, Tulfo said that the dredging vessels might be used by drug lords to smuggle illegal drugs into the Philippines, especially vessels coming from countries that are suspected sources of illegal drugs.

“On a weekly basis, many vessels from other countries arrived here to do dredging and these are large ships with many crews. Drugs can be hidden in bags or sacks and place them in the engine or under the bed,” said Tulfo.

“However, if the PDEA and Coast Guard join forces, we can ensure that 99 percent of what enters the country is free of illegal drugs, and these illegal drugs will not be able to get through.”

According to the Senate Public Relations and Information Bureau, the PDEA welcomed the suggestion and vowed to coordinate with the Department of Transportation.