Agents of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) seized around P16.5 million worth of cocaine which was found inside the luggage of a foreigner at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) on Monday, May 22.
BOC Commissioner Bien Rubio said the operation also resulted in the arrest of the suspect, a citizen of El Salvador, after it was established that he owns the luggage.
The arrested suspect, he said, arrived from Doha, Qatar, via Qatar Airways flight QR 932, from Brazil.
“Based on information provided by our foreign counterparts, examiners from the Arrival Operations Division and agents from the Customs Anti-Illegal Drugs Task Force at BOC NAIA were alerted to the presence of a traveler expected to arrive at NAIA carrying illegal drugs,” said Rubio.
He said the passenger's luggage underwent rigorous screening, including x-ray scanning, K9 inspection, and a thorough physical examination, which resulted in the discovery of 3,120 grams of cocaine concealed inside the luggage.
The seized cocaine has an estimated value of Php16,536,000.00, as confirmed by representatives from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).
Rubio said the arrested suspect is facing violation of the Comprehensive Drug Act and the the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA).