OPERATIVES from the Bureau of Customs (BOC-NAIA) at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 found an abandoned luggage containing 10,706 grams (10.706 kg) of methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu.
Based on examination by a chemist from the BOC and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), it was learned that the seized drugs are worth at least P72.8 million.
NAIA Customs District Collector Atty Yasmin Mapa said the luggage concerned was left in a carousel on September 28, 2024 and brought to the Customs Interline Baggage Room where unclaimed bags are put for safekeeping.
Mapa said that the abandoned baggage is owned by one Michel Septon, a Belgium national who arrived aboard Qatar Airways flight QR 928 from Johannesburg, South Africa via Doha Qatar.
She said the owner was given enough time to claim the said luggage but that no one came forward, so that it was taken and scanned by Customs personnel on Monday. A physical examination was made and 10.7 kilos of shabu were found wrapped in yellow and black plastic.
Customs operatives led by Customs assistant deputy collector for Passenger Services collector Mark Almase have inquired with the Bureau of Immigration to know if Septon is still in the country, while the drugs seized were turned over to the PDEA for proper disposition and the filing of charges against him.
