Composite elements from the Bureau of Customs, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, and the Ninoy Aquino International Airport-IATG arrested American national Stephen Joseph Szuhar for allegedly smuggling P19.6M worth of cocaine.

Initial investigation showed Szuhar arrived from Doha, Qatar, via Qatar Airways QR 932 from Brazil. After receiving a tip from reliable informants, the combined government agencies intercepted the suspect's luggage containing cocaine on 27 September at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Pasay City.

His luggage, which was subjected to K9, X-ray, and 100-percent thorough physical examination, yielded 3.7 kilos of cocaine with an estimated value of P19,610,000.

The suspect, apprehended for violation of RA 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act, will be charged in the proper courts.

Government authorities have intensified their anti-drug campaign on strict orders from President Bongbong Marcos to prevent the entry of illegal drugs into the country's shores.