Two travelers arrested at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) for hiding cocaine in their luggage.
Cocaine discovered during thorough x-ray and physical examination.
Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) confirms travelers arrived from Doha, Qatar, with 14.3 kilograms of cocaine worth P76.12 million.
Bureau of Customs (BOC) strengthens campaign against illegal drugs. The BOC, PDEA, and NAIA Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group (NAIA-IADITG) collaborated on the operation.
Apprehension took place at Terminal 3 of NAIA with the help of BOC-NAIA Operations Division, PDEA operatives, and Customs Anti-Illegal Drugs Task Force.
Smuggling attempt violated Comprehensive Drug Act (Republic Act 9165) and Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA).
Travelers arrested for smuggling P76-M cocaine
At a glance
Two travelers at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) have been arrested for hiding cocaine in their luggage.
The cocaine was discovered during a thorough checking of the luggage via x-ray and physical examination.
The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) confirmed that the two travelers who came from Doha, Qatar, bagged drugs weighing 14.3 kilograms with an estimated amount of P76.12 million.
This operation was done through the Bureau of Customs (BOC) strengthened campaign against illegal drugs.
Customs was joined by the PDEA and the NAIA Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group (NAIA-IADITG).
The culprits were apprehended on Thursday, September 28 at Terminal 3 of NAIA with the help of the Operations Division of BOC-NAIA, PDEA operatives, and Customs Anti-Illegal Drugs Task Force.
In a statement, Customs said the smuggling attempt violated the Comprehensive Drug Act, or the Republic Act 9165, and the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA).
The BOC-NAIA continues to protect the national borders and enhance its efforts by coordinating with other agencies.
With the leadership of Acting District Collector Yasmin Mapa and Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio, Customs is said to pursue the country’s intensive protection against illegal goods, following President Marcos’ strict directives. (Gabriell Christel Galang)