The Bureau of Customs Ninoy Aquino International Airport (BOC-NAIA), in coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the NAIA Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group (NAIA-IADITG), intercepted two passengers who attempted to smuggle illegal drugs worth Php56,557,000.
During the group’s back-to-back operations at the NAIA Terminal 3 in Pasay City, two foreign passengers were intercepted for two consecutive days, from August 13 to 14, 2024.
According to BOC, on August 13, a South African passenger arriving from Abu Dhabi was intercepted with 5.256 kilograms of Methamphetamine Hydrochloride, or shabu, valued at Php35,802,000.
Additionally, on August 14, a Thai passenger arriving from Thailand was caught with 14.825 kilograms of Kush, a high-grade marijuana, with an estimated street value of Php20,755,000.
“Both passengers were subjected to rigorous baggage screening processes, including x-ray scanning, K9 inspection, and thorough physical examinations, which led to the discovery of the illicit substances,” BOC wrote in a news release.
The two foreign passengers and the seized illegal drugs were immediately turned over to PDEA for custodial investigation and the initation of inquest proceedings. They were found to violate Republic Act No. 9165, the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, as amended, and Republic Act 10863, or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA).
Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio gave a stern warning to those attempting to smuggle illegal goods into the country, stating that the BOC remains vigilant in protecting its borders against the smuggling of illegal goods.
