Government agents arrested two South African nationals who tried to smuggle o more than 14,300 grams of methamphetamine hydrochloride, or shabu, valued at P97,892,800 at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).
Bureau of Customs (BOC) Commissioner Binvenido Rubio said the two foreigners arrived on January 16 from Dubai and attempted to bring into the country the illegal drugs by hiding the shabu inside their luggage.
“A meticulous inspection involving x-ray scanning, K9 assistance, and a thorough physical examination led to the discovery of the illegal drugs which were concealed inside the luggage of two South African nationals,” Rubio said.
The operation was conducted in close coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the NAIA Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group (NAIA-IADITG).
The seized drugs and arrested suspects were turned over to PDEA for further investigation and legal proceedings for violating the laws.
Rubi lauded the BOC personnel for their continuous dedication to enhancing the border control measures at the airport underscoring the agency’s commitment to ensuring the safety of the Filipino people.
“We will remain vigilant and proactive in our efforts against all forms of illegal trade,” he added.