By Ferdinand Patinio | Philippine News Agency
An American passenger was arrested after authorities, led by the Bureau of Customs (BOC), found approximately P17.46 million worth of kush (high-grade marijuana) in his luggage at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 in Pasay City.
In a news release Saturday, the bureau reported that the passenger arrived from Bangkok, Thailand on Oct. 29, carrying two pieces of luggage that contained food packages, inside of which the suspected illegal drugs were concealed.
The contraband was discovered after X-ray screening revealed suspicious images inside the checked-in luggage.
The bags were subsequently subjected to a K-9 inspection, during which a drug-sniffing dog
provided a positive indication of the presence of illegal drugs.
During the inspection, 15 vacuum-sealed packages of suspected kush were found hidden inside food packaging.
Five packages, with a total weight of 5,122 grams and an estimated value of P5.12 million, were recovered from the first piece of luggage.
In the second, 10 packages were discovered, weighing 12,342 grams and valued at P12.34 million.
The operation was in coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the NAIA Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group (NAIA-IADITG).
Meanwhile, the BOC reported that on Oct. 26, its personnel also intercepted 7,335 grams of suspected kush valued at P7.33 million, found in an abandoned luggage at the same terminal.
This luggage also originated from Bangkok. The suspected illegal drugs were discovered concealed within aluminum food pouches and sealed in transparent plastic bags.
The confiscated contraband was immediately turned over to the PDEA.
“We will continue to intensify inspections and surveillance at our airport. With the help of our partner agencies, we will ensure that illegal drugs are intercepted and those responsible are held accountable,” BOC-NAIA District Collector Yasmin Mapa said.
Customs Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno commended the BOC, PDEA and NAIA-IADITG for their prompt and collaborative action.
“Our fight against illegal drugs does not end with a single successful operation. Our vigilance is continuous and for every attempt to smuggle contraband, our personnel and partner agencies are ready to act,” Nepomuceno said.
