NAIA passenger yields cannabis oil

A departing passenger was arrested at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 after authorities found suspected illegal drugs in his possession.

The Philippine National Police Aviation Security Group said the item was detected during routine X-ray screening at the Central Security Screening Checkpoint in the Domestic Departure Area.

Due to a suspicious image, the passenger’s backpack was subjected to manual inspection, where a disposable vape cartridge was found.

A K9 unit from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) gave a positive alert, indicating the presence of illegal drugs, particularly cannabis oil.

A confirmatory test using a portable spectrometer showed the substance to be suspected “tsongke” oil.

Authorities seized about 5 milliliters of the substance, with an estimated value of P3,000.

The confiscated items will undergo further examination by PDEA as charges are being prepared against the suspect.