NAIA Drug Bust: Senior Passenger Caught With Shabu From Malaysia

A 62-year-old passenger was arrested at NAIA Terminal 1 after authorities said he tried to bring in more than three kilos of suspected shabu from Malaysia. The interception happened on Friday, April 3, as airport and customs personnel screened incoming baggage.

According to the report, Bureau of Customs personnel noticed suspicious x-ray images from the traveler’s luggage at the baggage build-up area. A manual inspection later uncovered several packets of methamphetamine hydrochloride hidden inside a backpack and handbags.

The seized substance weighed 3.2 kilograms and was valued at more than P21 million. After the discovery, joint operatives from the PNP Aviation Security Group and the Bureau of Customs immediately placed the passenger under arrest and completed the inventory and documentation in front of witnesses.

The evidence was later turned over to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency for further handling. The case adds to the continuing watch on airport entry points, where authorities remain alert for drug trafficking attempts using commercial flights.

Avsegroup chief Brig. Gen. Dionisio B. Bartolome said the operation showed that airport authorities are staying vigilant. Sa madaling salita, message ng gobyerno: smugglers should not expect an easy pass, especially when narcotics are being moved through major gateways like NAIA.

Source: The Manila Times