A COMPOSITE team of law enforcers on Monday arrested at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA ) two suspected drug mules who tried to smuggle into the country some P304 million worth of methamphetamine hydrochloride, commonly known as shabu.
First to fall was a 25-year-old man who was caught in possession of shabu worth over P139 million. The suspect checked in at the NAIA Terminal 3 from Toronto, Canada, via a connecting flight from Hong Kong.
Suspicions arose when x-ray screeners at the arrival area detected an unusual image in a blue piece of the passenger’s luggage. A Customs agent did a manual inspection and discovered five transparent plastic bags wrapped in foil and duct tape, containing a white crystalline substance believed to be shabu.
Subsequent tests conducted on the items established that indeed contained shabu, estimated at P139.7 million.
Later in the day, another passenger, a woman also from Canada, was intercepted at NAIA Terminal 3 for alleged possession of 24 kilograms of shabu valued at roughly P164.7 million.
The suspects were promptly remanded to police custody preparatory to the filing of appropriate criminal charges against them.
“These arrests demonstrate the government’s strong commitment to combating illegal drugs. Cooperation among law enforcement agencies at airports is crucial,” said Philippine National Police-Aviation Security Group chief Brig. Gen. Jason Capoy.
