A drug seizure at an international airport has prompted authorities to issue a fresh advisory to overseas Filipino workers, following the arrest of a passenger allegedly carrying illegal narcotics concealed in hand luggage.
Customs officers confiscated around 4,008 grams of methamphetamine hydrochloride, commonly referred to as “shabu,” hidden inside the traveler’s carry-on baggage, according to a report from the Philippine Bureau of Customs (BOC). The contraband is estimated to be worth ₱27,254,400, or approximately Dh1.74 million. The individual involved is now undergoing inquest and facing prosecution for violating Republic Act No. 9165, also known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
The incident has drawn attention to a scheme that authorities say is increasingly targeting Filipino workers bound for or returning from jobs overseas. Under this modus, individuals are enticed with promises of complimentary trips or employment opportunities abroad in exchange for transporting luggage or packages that may contain prohibited substances.
BOC Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno stressed the need for continued coordination among government agencies to curb such operations.
“Sustained enforcement and inter-agency cooperation remain crucial in preventing international airports from being exploited by drug trafficking networks,” Nepomuceno said in a statement.
The bureau noted that overseas Filipino workers are particularly vulnerable because of their frequent travel in and out of the country. Criminal groups have allegedly taken advantage of this mobility by recruiting unsuspecting passengers to carry baggage on their behalf.
In a public advisory, the BOC urged departing workers to verify the legitimacy and accreditation of recruiters or prospective employers before agreeing to any travel arrangement. Officials also advised travelers to carefully examine all documents and details related to their trips.
Authorities further reminded passengers never to permit other individuals to insert items into their personal luggage and to refuse requests to transport bags or parcels for someone else.
The bureau also called on travelers who discover suspicious objects in their belongings, or who suspect they are being targeted by similar tactics, to immediately seek assistance from the BOC and the Department of Migrant Workers.
