A 33-year-old Zambian woman was arrested at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) for allegedly attempting to smuggle over P60 million worth of suspected shabu concealed in a false compartment of her luggage, according to Unang Balita report citing the Philippine National Police Aviation Security Group (PNP-AVSEGROUP).
The suspect, who claimed to be a student in the Philippines, was apprehended after a routine inspection flagged her baggage. Authorities discovered the illegal drugs with the assistance of K9 units, confirming their presence during a closer examination.
“This was designed to mislead our inspectors. But with the help of our K9 units and detailed inspection, it was confirmed to contain drugs,” said Police Brigadier General Christopher Abrahano, Director of the PNP-AVSEGROUP.
The woman, who had no school documents, reservations, or proof of accommodation in the Philippines, raised further suspicions. Her passport showed it was her first time entering the country.
The suspect had arrived from a “hot flight” originating in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia—a term used for flights monitored due to suspected drug trafficking activities from their points of origin.
“Our foreign counterparts provided prior information that drugs often come from these destinations. We initiated behavioral surveillance as part of our protocol,” Abrahano explained.
Authorities are investigating whether the suspect is linked to a larger drug syndicate.