The Philippine National Police (PNP) reported Thursday a major blow to drug trafficking and illegal transport activities at the nation’s primary gateway, seizing more than P133 million worth of suspected shabu during a weeklong operation.
This comes as the Aviation Security Group conducted the enforcement sweep from 9 to 16 February, resulting in the arrest of two foreign nationals and the apprehension of several wanted individuals.
The operations, which aligned with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to secure the country’s borders, reached a peak with the interception of 19,569 grams of shabu. The first significant haul occurred 11 February at the PAIR-PAGSS Cargo Import Warehouse, where authorities found 5,424 grams of the substance valued at P36.8 million.
Two days later, security teams at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 confiscated over 8 kilograms of shabu worth P60 million from a German man arriving on an international flight.
A third major seizure took place 15 February at the same terminal, where approximately 6,000 grams of the illegal drug, valued at P40.8 million, were recovered from a South African national.
Beyond narcotics, the Aviation Security Group also addressed local transport issues by penalizing 224 taxi drivers for overcharging and operating without licenses.
Two individuals with outstanding warrants were also arrested during the routine patrols across the airport complex.
PNP chief Police General Jose Melencio Nartatez said the operations demonstrate that criminal elements have no safe harbor in Philippine airports and stressed that the police will continue to enforce the law without compromise, noting that every shipment stopped is a victory for the Filipino people.
Nartatez added that the week’s accomplishments reflect a transformative program aimed at making police services more effective and attuned to public needs.
The police chief assured the public that the PNP remains committed to providing “fast, honest and felt” service as part of the broader national effort to dismantle drug networks. Following the arrests, the seized narcotics and the suspects were turned over to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency for further investigation and legal proceedings.