• The Bureau of Customs-Ninoy Aquino International Airport (BOC-NAIA) confiscates 10,706 grams of methamphetamine hydrochloride (shabu) worth P72.8 million at NAIA Terminal 3
• The contraband was found in an abandoned luggage, concealed in five handbags, four file organizer bags, and a portfolio bag
• The drugs were traced to a passenger from South Africa, with a stopover in Doha, Qatar en route to Manila
The Bureau of Customs-Ninoy Aquino International Airport (BOC-NAIA) confiscated 10,706 grams of methamphetamine hydrochloride (shabu) valued at P72.8 million in an operation on January 6 at NAIA Terminal 3.
The illicit drugs were discovered in an abandoned luggage linked to a passenger from South Africa that had a stopover in Doha, Qatar, the BOC said in a statement.
The contraband was concealed in five handbags, four file organizer bags, and a portfolio bag. It used black carbon paper and packaging tape to evade detection.
In October the BOC also seized P42 million worth of shabu at Terminal 3 from a 31-year-old South African national.
The operation was conducted in collaboration with the NAIA Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group (IADITG) and involved multiple agencies, including the BOC-Customs Anti-Illegal Drugs Task Force, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), Philippine National Police Aviation Security Group, Airport Police Department, PNP Drug Enforcement Group, and the National Bureau of Investigation.
The seized drugs were turned over to PDEA for proper handling. An investigation is now underway for violations of Republic Act (RA) No. 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002) and RA No. 10863 or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act.
Customs commissioner Bienvenido Rubio commended the success of the operation, emphasizing the agency’s commitment to combating illegal drugs and safeguarding national borders. “Our efforts reflect the BOC’s determination to take decisive action against illegal drug smuggling and ensure the safety of our communities,” he said.
BOC-NAIA district collector Yasmin Mapa highlighted the BOC-NAIA’s dedication to curbing illicit drug smuggling and added that the operation sends a “stern warning to drug traffickers.
