The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency 7 (PDEA-7) has intensified its crackdown on illegal electronic cigarettes or vape products containing marijuana oil, which are allegedly imported from abroad and are being smuggled into Central Visayas.
This after PDEA-7 discovered through their intelligence-based reports and investigation that the seized contraband in Cebu earlier this year were not locally-produced but were rather supplied from other countries.
It was previously reported that over ?300,000 worth of illegal vape that contain viscous yellowish liquid with tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) –the primary psychoactive component of marijuana– in consecutive buy-bust operations led by PDEA-7 in Barangay Duljo-Fatima, Cebu City, and Barangay Jugan, Consolacion town, earlier in January 28 and 29, respectively.
According to PDEA-7 Acting Assistant Regional Director Thessa Tiuzen, the confiscated products were shipped from other countries, adding that courier services often mistakenly identified them as ordinary vape products.
‘Based on intelligence reports and investigation, kana siya nga vape they are imported products. So, dili siya locally-produced. They are smuggled here sa Cebu,’ Tiuzen said during the Openline News Forum last week.
She also highlighted that the smuggled items were particularly sourced out from the neighboring Asian countries where the use of marijuana is legal.
Since these countries are permissive with the use of marijuana, Tiuzen said that they tend to overly produce and spill over illegal products here in the Philippines as their target market, noting that the use of vape products is a fad.
‘Because of medyo lax sila didto sa ilang laws regarding cannabis or marijuana, nag-overly produce sila (and) mao ng nag-spill over diri sa Pilipinas. So, they need a market and naa silay market na nakita diri sa Pilipinas,’ she said.
‘Popular sa atong younger generations and also other vulnerable sectors dire sa atong community because of the nature of their work. Mao nay nakita natong reasons sa pag-circulate sa vape products with marijuana oil sa Cebu,’ Tiuzed added, underscoring the prevailing factors of the sudden spread of THC-infused vape products in Cebu.
To curb the problem of illegal drugs, Tiuzen said PDEA-7 plans to collaborate with courier companies and civil society organizations to further promote a drug-free workplace.
She added that among their initiatives is providing training on how to identify if there are items being shipped that may contain narcotics when these pass through their delivery service.
In addition, she also encouraged government and private entities that are planning to procure narcotics detection dogs to participate in their upcoming orientation in March.
She said that the activity is aiming to educate participants on possessing or handling narcotics detection dogs in accordance with the Dangerous Drugs Board Regulation No. 3 Series of 2024
‘If naa sila’y narcotics detection dogs, dapat accredited sila para sakto (ug) makatabang sa ilaha sa detection of drugs if ever gamiton ilahang company sa smuggling of dangerous drugs,’ she suggested.
When asked if the Bureau of Customs and PDEA have a joint protocol regarding the gradual release of vape products to ensure and determine whether what is being released is illegal or not, Tiuzen admitted that this is still being discussed.
Tizen also echoed that the agency is seeking assistance from the community in helping fight illegal drugs, urging them to participate by reporting suspicious individuals to the authorities.
‘PDEA really needs the cooperation sa community regarding how to address the drug problem. Dako kaayo og tabang og mo-report sila,’ she said.
‘There’s always risks, but all information will be treated with confidentiality. Mas risky kung dili mo motug-an kung naay illegal drug activity sa inyo area (ug) sa inyong mga silingan. Dili ta mohuwat nga atong pamilya na ang mabiktima nila,’ she added.