P72.8-M illegal drugs seized in NAIA

PHILSTAR FILE PHOTO

BUREAU OF CUSTOMS (BoC) seized P72.8 million worth of illegal drugs at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

In a statement, Customs said the 10,706 grams of suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride, commonly known as “shabu,” was intercepted in the airport hidden in abandoned inbound luggage.

“The items were traced back to a passenger who had traveled from South Africa, with a stopover in Doha, Qatar, before reaching Manila,” the BoC said.

It added that concealed within the luggage were improvised pouches of packaging tape wrapped in black carbon paper, hidden in five handbags, four file organizer bags, and one portfolio bag.

The operation conducted on Jan. 6, was conducted in coordination with the NAIA Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group. — Aubrey Rose A. Inosante