MANILA, Philippines — More than 10 kilograms of illegal drugs worth some P73 million has been intercepted by operatives of the Bureau of Customs (BoC) at the Terminal 3 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).
Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio disclosed on Tuesday that the illegal shipment was discovered by customs airport operatives, in coordination with the NAIA Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group (IADITG), in an abandoned inbound luggage.
Rubio said that based on the report submitted by NAIA Customs District Collector Yasmin O. Mapa, the abandoned luggage was traced back to a passenger who had traveled from South Africa, with a stopover in Doha, Qatar, before reaching Manila.
Found inside the luggage was 10,706 grams or 10.7 kilos of methamphetamine hydrochloride, commonly known as shabu, with an estimated value of P72.8 million.
Hidden within the luggage were improvised pouches made of packaging tape wrapped in black carbon paper, strategically concealed in five handbags, four file organizer bags, and one portfolio bag.
Rubio said the identity of the passenger has been withheld pending results of ongoing investigation.
The interdiction operation involved other agencies, including the BOC-Customs Anti-Illegal Drugs Task Force, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), the Philippine National Police Aviation Security Group (PNP-AVSEG), the Airport Police Department, the PNP Drug Enforcement Group, and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).
The seized illicit drugs were immediately turned over to PDEA for proper handling, and further investigation was underway for violations of Republic Act (RA) 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002) and RA 10863 (Customs Modernization and Tariff Act).
Rubio said the operation served as a stern warning to drug traffickers, signaling the BOC-NAIA’s firm stance against drug smuggling and other forms of illegal trade.
“Our efforts reflect the BOC’s determination to take decisive action against illegal drug smuggling and ensure the safety of our communities,” added Rubio.
Be the first to comment