Authorities seized around 16.8 kilos of suspected shabu valued at approximately P114.5 million at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) earlier this month, leading to the arrest of three suspects.

The illegal drugs were intercepted on January 8 in a joint operation by the Bureau of Customs–NAIA, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), and the NAIA Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group.

Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the seizure followed President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s order to tighten security at airports.

The shipment, which originated from Congo, was declared as malachite stones. 

Castro said it was flagged after X-ray inspection showed suspicious images, prompting further verification and a physical examination that led to the discovery of the illegal drugs.

Castro added that the Bureau of Customs, under Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno, will continue enforcing measures against drug smuggling and trafficking at the country’s ports of entry.

The seized drugs and arrested suspects were turned over to the appropriate authorities for investigation and filing of charges.