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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider PDEA: South African nabbed in foiled P40.8 M shabu smuggling

PDEA: South African nabbed in foiled P40.8 M shabu smuggling

Published Jan 27, 2026 01:55 pm
Government anti-narcotics agents arrested on Monday, Jan. 26, a South African national for allegedly attempting to smuggle P40.84 million worth of shabu during an interdiction operation at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).
During the operation at the Customs International Arrival Area at the NAIA Terminal 3, authorities intercepted South African passenger alias Mark, 64, upon his arrival at around 10:45 a.m. where one black backpack containing illegal drugs concealed inside improvised wooden boxes and plastic packages wrapped with duct tape and carbon paper was discovered.
Seized from the suspect was approximately 6,006 grams of white crystalline substance suspected to be methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu.
Aside from shabu, authorities also confiscated various non-drug items including travel documents, identification cards, mobile phones, assorted personal belongings, and foreign currencies.
Alias Mark faces charges for violation of Section 4 (Importation of Dangerous Drugs and/or Controlled Precursors and Essential Chemicals), Article II of Republic Act (RA) 9165 or “The Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.’’
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