MANILA – Authorities at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) seized a large shipment of shabu worth an estimated P72 million on Monday (06 Jan 2025), hidden inside an abandoned piece of luggage that arrived from Johannesburg, South Africa.
The operation was carried out by the NAIA-Inter Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group (IADITG), in coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).
According to a statement released by PDEA, the suspicious luggage was found at the airport’s Custom Exclusion Room in Terminal 3, which handles international arrivals.
The bag was abandoned and had no identifying owner when discovered around noon.
Upon inspection, agents found a significant quantity of shabu concealed within the luggage. The drugs were subsequently seized and transported to the PDEA laboratory for further analysis and processing.
“The successful interdiction is a major blow to drug trafficking activities at the airport and underscores the continued vigilance of our operatives,” said a PDEA spokesperson.
The shipment, which originated from Johannesburg, is currently under investigation, and authorities are working to trace both the sender and intended recipients of the contraband.
Once identified, those responsible for the shipment will face charges under Republic Act 9165, the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act, as well as possible violations of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act.
This latest bust is part of ongoing efforts by the Philippine government to combat the illegal drug trade, particularly in key transit points like NAIA.
The airport’s strategic location makes it a frequent target for smugglers attempting to move illicit substances into the country.
The PDEA and other law enforcement agencies have vowed to continue ramping up their operations to prevent similar illegal activities from succeeding in the future.
The investigation into the matter is ongoing.
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