On January 9, a 29-year-old Filipina woman was caught with ₱24 million worth of cocaine at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3.
The woman, who had arrived on a flight from Sierra Leone via Ethiopian Airlines, was intercepted by the Bureau of Immigration (BI) Anti-Terrorist Group (ATG).
According to BI-ATG Chief Bienvenido Castillo III, operatives noticed a suspicious flight pattern linked to the woman, prompting them to recommend her inspection by the NAIA Drug Interdiction Task Group (DITG).
Bureau of Customs (BOC) personnel thoroughly examined her luggage and discovered suspicious substances hidden inside the linings of four handbags and one suitcase.
The inspection was carried out with the assistance of the NAIA-DITG, as well as personnel from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), the Philippine National Police (PNP) Aviation Security Group, the Airport Police Department, the PNP Drug Enforcement Group, and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).
Upon examination, the BOC confirmed that the powdery substance in her belongings tested positive for cocaine, amounting to 4.574 kilograms with an estimated street value of over ₱24 million.
The arrested Filipina is now facing charges of drug trafficking in violation of Philippine law.
