Authorities arrested a Malaysian national at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 over the weekend for allegedly attempting to smuggle ₱29.7 million worth of methamphetamine hydrochloride, commonly known as shabu.
According to the Bureau of Customs (BOC), the foreign passenger was intercepted on Saturday after 4,368 grams of suspected illegal drugs were discovered concealed in their luggage. The bust was the result of a joint operation by the BOC-NAIA, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), and the NAIA Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group.
“A combination of x-ray scanning, K-9 inspection and a detailed physical examination led authorities to a suspicious package containing white crystalline substances,” the BOC confirmed in a statement. Laboratory analysis later verified the substance as methamphetamine hydrochloride.
Following the discovery, the Malaysian national was turned over to PDEA for inquest proceedings. The individual now faces charges under the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 (RA 9165) and the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (RA 10863).
The seized drugs have been formally handed over to PDEA for safekeeping and further investigation.
