Pasay City: A 43-year-old Filipino woman was arrested for allegedly trying to slip into the country some PHP29.7 million worth of shabu at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Pasay City, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) said on Sunday.

According to Philippines News Agency, the NAIA Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group (NAIA-IADITG) members nabbed the suspect 'Lyn' upon her arrival from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia at the Customs International Arrival Area of NAIA Terminal 3 at around 1:35 p.m. Saturday. When immigration officers inspected the passenger's luggage, they found some 4.368 kg. of shabu concealed inside the improvised black duct tape pouch.

The suspect and pieces of evidence were brought to the PDEA Office for proper documentation and disposition. PDEA Director General Isgani Nerez said the successful operation underscores the unwavering commitment of the anti-narcotics body and its partner agencies to defend the nation's borders against international drug trafficking. He noted that the discovery of the illegal drugs was also in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s directive to strengthen interdiction and border control operations across all ports of entry.

'Our presence in major airports, seaports, and cargo facilities is not just necessary-it is imperative,' Nerez said in a statement. The suspect will be charged with violation of the Republic Act (RA) 9165 or the Comprehensive Drug Act of 2002 and RA 10863 or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act.