Authorities at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 intercepted two Filipino passengers arriving from Bangkok, Thailand, after their six checked-in baggage were found to contain over 151 kilos of suspected high-grade marijuana or “kush,” with an estimated value of P227 million.
The Bureau of Customs (BOC) confirmed on Thursday that the passengers arrived via Cebu Pacific Flight 53932. Their luggage was flagged during X-ray screening, prompting a thorough physical inspection that uncovered multiple transparent packs of the illegal substance.
K9 units from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) later confirmed the presence of drugs. The suspects, whose names have not been released, were immediately placed under PDEA custody along with the confiscated items for investigation and proper legal action.
The BOC declared the operation as the largest drug seizure in NAIA’s history.
BOC Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno underscored the gravity of the interception, stating: “This significant interception highlights our intensified efforts to combat drug trafficking and secure our borders. The Bureau of Customs will remain vigilant and steadfast in preventing illegal drugs from entering the country.”
District Collector Alexandra Lumontad echoed the statement, stressing the role of cooperation among agencies: “This accomplishment demonstrates the importance of strict enforcement measures and strong inter-agency collaboration. BOC-NAIA remains committed to ensuring that our airports are not exploited by drug syndicates.”
The case has been turned over to PDEA for further investigation, as authorities vowed to pursue those behind the attempted smuggling.
