Pasay city: The Bureau of Customs-Ninoy Aquino International Airport (BOC-NAIA) seized over 44 kilograms of suspected shabu valued at more than PHP304 million during two separate interdiction operations at Terminal 3. The operations, which took place early this week, focused on two passengers arriving from Hong Kong on different flights.

According to Philippines News Agency, NAIA District Collector Alexandra Lumontad stated that the operations on July 14 led to the apprehension of the passengers after BOC X-ray Inspection Project personnel identified suspicious images in their checked-in luggage during routine screening. In the first operation, the passenger disclaimed ownership of the luggage, which was later confirmed to contain illegal drugs following a K-9 sweep and field test.

A detailed inspection revealed 20,555 grams of shabu hidden in a compartment, with a market value of approximately PHP139.7 million. The second operation that day resulted in the interception of another passenger, whose luggage was found to contain 24,231 grams of suspected shabu, valued at around PHP164.77 million, after a similar K-9 sweep and physical inspection.

The suspects were handed over to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) for further investigation and legal proceedings, while the confiscated drugs were submitted to the PDEA Laboratory Service for chemical analysis. The operations were conducted in collaboration with the NAIA Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group (IADITG) and PDEA.

BOC Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno commended the NAIA personnel for their vigilance and professionalism. "We remain steadfast in securing our borders against the entry of illegal drugs. These successful interdictions in a single day demonstrate the Bureau's unwavering resolve to support the President's call for good governance, public safety, and the protection of our airports from criminal exploitation," he remarked in a statement.