Ni: Chito A. Chavez

Ayon sa Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), ginagamit ng drug dealers sa kanilang mga transaksiyon ang transport network vehicle services (TNVS).

Nagbabala rin ang PDEA sa mga driver ng TNVS, gaya ng Uber at Grab na huwag magpagamit nang walang kaalam-alam sa illegal drug trade.

Kasama sa serbisyo ng lokal na TNVS ang doorstep express deliveries gamit ang mga kotse at motorsiklo na saklaw ng insurance at real-time tracking at notification alerts.

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Inilabas ni PDEA Director General Aaron N. Aquino ang advisory kasunod ng pagkakaaresto kay Jovet Atillano y Trance, alyas “OJ”, 32, na nagbebenta umano ng bawal na gamot sa pamamagitan ng Internet.

Sa buy-bust operation na isinagawa ng mga tauhan ng PDEA-Special Enforcement Service (PDEA-SES), nasakote si Atilliano sa isang condominium unit sa Mandaluyong City nitong Setyembre 19.

“Investigation revealed that Atillano has hired the services of TNVS drivers in delivering illegal drugs concealed inside packages right at the doorsteps of his customers. Before they know it, the drivers have become unwitting couriers of illegal drugs. We are urging TNVS drivers and operators to exercise due diligence to ensure that they will not be used to transport any contrabands,” sabi ni Aquino.

“Drug syndicates have learned to utilize the mobile-based application of transport network companies to deliver their illicit goods. They will register using fictitious names and pre-activated SIM cards to avoid detection in case the delivery went amiss and intercepted by authorities. Unaware, the poor driver will likely suffer the dire consequences,” dagdag niya.

Dahil dito, humingi ng tulong sa Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) at sa mga TNVS ang PDEA upang makabuo ng hakbang kung paano masusugpo ang bagong trend na ito sa drug trafficking.