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US donates vehicles to support anti-drug trafficking efforts in airports 

INL Acting Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Lisa Johnson (third from left) leads the turnover ceremony of U.S.-donated vehicles, in the presence of U.S. Embassy INL Director Kelia Cummins (second from right), U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration Country Attaché Michael Short (second from left), and PDEA officials.  

The United States government donated two vehicles valued at Php2.1 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 US 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.

The two U.S.-donated vehicles aim to enhance the capabilities of PDEA personnel to address illegal drug trafficking in the Philippines’ major aviation gateways

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 Php 22.3 million ($410,000) while NAIA IADITG confiscated a total of 8.96 kilograms of shabu worth nearly Php 60 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.  Learn more about the INL and its global drug demand reduction programs at http://www.state.gov/j/inl.  

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