Four arrested at NAIA with P62.7-M marijuana haul

Authorities arrested four arriving passengers after seizing approximately 41,851 grams of suspected marijuana worth an estimated P62.78 million during a joint anti-drug operation at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 in Pasay City.

The passengers arrived from Bangkok, Thailand on 30 July when personnel from the X-Ray Inspection Project flagged their baggage during routine screening after detecting suspicious images that indicated the possible presence of prohibited substances.

Following standard Bureau of Customs procedures, the passengers underwent a physical inspection of their luggage. A K9 inspection by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency also indicated the possible presence of illegal drugs.

A full baggage examination led to the discovery of approximately 41.85 kilograms of suspected marijuana concealed inside the passengers' luggage.

Authorities estimated the seized drugs to have a street value of P62,776,500.

The operation was carried out by the Bureau of Customs, Enforcement and Security Service-Customs Anti-Illegal Drug Task Force, NAIA Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group, Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service, X-Ray Inspection Project, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, and Bureau of Immigration.

The four suspects were turned over to the PDEA for the filing of charges for alleged violation of Section 4 (Importation of Dangerous Drugs) of Republic Act No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, in relation to Republic Act No. 10863, or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act.

District Collector Atty. Maria Yasmin Obillos-Mapa commended the coordinated efforts of the operating units and partner law enforcement agencies, saying the successful interdiction demonstrated the Port of NAIA's heightened vigilance against illegal drug smuggling.