AUTHORITIES nabbed at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 a 40-year-old female passenger from Thailand after a large quantity of suspected illegal drugs were found hidden in his luggage.
PBGEN Christopher Abrahano, Director of the Philippine National Police-Aviation Security Group (PNP- AVSEGROUP), reiterated the group’s commitment to maintaining strict security protocols at airports, ensuring the prevention of drug smuggling and other illegal activities.
It was learned that the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency’s (PDEA) K9 Team was called in to assist.
The K9 inspection then confirmed the presence of dangerous drugs and further inspection revealed 13 vacuum-sealed plastic bags containing dried leaves, suspected to be “kush” marijuana.
PDEA officials said the confiscated drugs weighed approximately 14,825 grams, with a street value estimated at P20,755,000.
Immediately, the suspect was placed under arrest by the PNP- AVSEGROUP and informed of her constitutional rights in a language she understood.
The arrest was recorded using an Alternative Recording Device (ARD) in compliance with the Supreme Court’s “Rules on the Use of Body-Worn Cameras in the Execution of Warrants.”
The seized substance has been sent to the PDEA Laboratory Service for confirmatory testing while the passenger has been turned over to PDEA custody for further investigation and the filing of criminal charges under Section 5 of RA 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act).
