MANILA -- To consistently intensify its border protection capabilities against the entry of illegal drugs, the Bureau of Customs, through the Enforcement and Security Service (ESS), launches 16 units of Trace Detection System (TDS) which shall be deployed in various ports nationwide from April to May 2022.

The TDS or the NUCTECH TR3000DE is a significant addition to the non-intrusive inspection capability of the Bureau as it is designed to detect explosives, narcotics, and drugs substances of small magnitude. The detection is accomplished by sampling non-visible trace amounts of particulates from shipments.

The newly-acquired system boasts a throughput of three times more than the traditional systems. The monitoring of the TDS is located at the Customs Operations Center, featured among its wide array of safety, enforcement, and security systems and manned by the ESS personnel.

Two units each of the TDS were deployed to the Manila International Container Port and Ninoy Aquino International Airport, while one unit each was deployed to Port of Cagayan De Oro, Port of Manila, and the Customs Anti-Drug Task Force.

Meanwhile, the remaining units shall be deployed until May of this year, with two units each to Port of Cebu and Port of Davao, and one unit each to Port of Zamboanga, Port of Limay, Port of Subic, Port of Clark, and Port of Batangas.

BOC under the leadership of Commissioner Rey Leonardo B. Guerrero further enhances its intelligence and enforcement capabilities to continuously fulfill its mandate of protecting the country's borders against the entry of illicit goods. (BOC)