The Ninoy Aquino International Airport Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group (NAIA-IADITG) apprehended two South African passengers on Friday morning for allegedly attempting to smuggle illegal drugs worth P97,892,800 into the country.

Reports disclosed that the two passengers’ luggage was flagged by a Bureau of Customs (BoC) X-ray operator at the NAIA international arrivals area at approximately 1 a.m. due to suspicious items.

The operator immediately alerted the NAIA-IADITG for further inspection.

During a manual inspection, authorities discovered more than 14 kilograms of methamphetamine hydrochloride, or “shabu,” concealed within various items, including handbags, potato chip and biscuit packs, the compartment of a book, and handmade pouches.

Initial field tests conducted by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) confirmed the presence of methamphetamine hydrochloride. The seized evidence was subsequently forwarded to the PDEA laboratory for further analysis.

The two suspects were immediately apprehended and are currently in the custody of the PDEA, where they will face criminal charges under Republic Act 9165, the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

PBGen. Christopher M. Abecia commended the NAIA-IADITG for their diligence in stopping drug smuggling at the country’s main international gateway.

“This operation demonstrates our task force’s dedication to safeguarding our borders and public safety,” Abecia said.

Meanwhile, the Philippine National Police Aviation Security Group, in a joint operation with the NAIA-IADITG, intercepted an abandoned outbound parcel containing suspected illicit substances at DHL Cargo in Andrews Avenue, NAIA Complex, Pasay City.