THE Office for Transportation Security (OTS) at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 announced that a routine security screening conducted by their personnel led to the confiscation of illegal drugs and the apprehension of a passenger.
It was learned from OTS Administrator Undersecretary Arthur Bisnar that at approximately 10 p.m. on June 9, OTS Security Screening Officers (SSOs) at NAIA Terminal 3 flagged a backpack for containing suspected prohibited items, including several lighters.
The OTS security screening team, composed of X-ray operator SSO Jackie Cherringuine and baggage inspector SSO Ma. Nazla Asombrado, proceeded with a manual inspection of the luggage during which a black pouch inside the bag was found to contain a sachet of white crystalline substance suspected to be illegal drugs.
Other pieces of suspected drug paraphernalia were also discovered inside the bag and the discovery was immediately reported to the OTS supervisor, who then coordinated with the Philippine National Police Aviation Security Group (PNP-AVSEGROUP) and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).
Bisnar said the drug interception serves as a reminder of the critical role played by OTS personnel, whose primary duty is to screen for security-prohibited items but whose vigilance often leads to incidental discoveries that help thwart criminal activities at the airport.
Meantime, the passenger, who was set to board Cebu Pacific Flight 5J553 bound for Cebu, was placed under the custody of the law enforcement officers. The individual now faces charges under Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
