Government anti-narcotics agents intercepted on Friday, March 20, around P102 million worth of suspected shabu from an arriving Malaysian passenger during an interdiction operation at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) stated.
Arriving Malaysian passenger alias “Fati’’ was apprehended after authorities discovered around 15,000 grams of suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride during the 12:47 a.m. interdiction operation at the NAIA Terminal 1 Secondary Inspection Area, Customs International Arrival Area.
Authorities discovered the illegal drugs hidden inside wooden chopping boards concealed in two boxes during the inspection procedures at the airport facility.
Aside from the approximately 15 kilograms of suspected shabu, the NAIA Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group (NAIA-IADITG) also confiscated the suspect’s passport, identification card, boarding pass, cellular phone, and other personal effects.
The arrested suspect faces charges for violation of Section 4 (Importation of Dangerous Drugs), Article II of Republic Act (RA) 9165 or “The Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.’’