Airport security at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 intercepted suspected illegal drugs worth an estimated P13.7 million on Wednesday afternoon, the Office for Transportation Security (OTS) reported Thursday.

A female passenger bound for Bacolod on Cebu Pacific flight 5J487 was stopped at the Domestic Departure Final Security Checkpoint after a security screening officer (SSO) detected suspicious items in her hand-carried bag.

Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon said in a statement that the interception aligns with President Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos Jr.’s directive to enhance surveillance and collaboration among government agencies to combat crime and ensure the safety of transportation hubs.

According to the OTS, SSO Sharina Narag, the on-duty X-ray operator, noticed a suspicious image on the X-ray monitor and alerted SSO Olive for a manual inspection. The subsequent inspection revealed the illegal drugs concealed inside a powdered milk box.

Authorities immediately reported the discovery to the Philippine National Police Aviation Security Group.

Agents from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) also responded to the scene and confirmed the presence of illegal narcotics through an on-the-spot chemical analysis. The seized substance tested positive for shabu, weighing a total of 2,024 grams.

The PNP-AVSEGROUP arrested the female passenger for violating laws related to the attempted transport of illegal drugs.

The suspect was informed of her constitutional rights, and the arrest was recorded using an Alternative Recording Device (ARD).

Authorities also said that the arrested passenger and the seized drugs are currently in the custody of the PDEA NAIA-Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group (IADITG) for proper documentation, disposal, and the filing of criminal charges.

OTS Administrator Undersecretary Arthur Bisnar affirmed the agency’s commitment to working with law enforcement to enhance the safety and security of the country’s transportation system.

“We do not merely inspect for explosives or weapons; each scan shows an opportunity to eliminate threats and prevent the transport of other potentially illicit items,” Bisnar said.