₱56.7-M SHABU BUST AT NAIA: DRUG COURIERS FROM CAMBODIA, CARGO PARCEL INTERCEPTED

Authorities intercepted more than ₱56.7 million worth of suspected shabu in two separate anti-drug operations linked to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), leading to the arrest of two women and the interception of an outbound cargo parcel bound for Bohol.

In a statement, the NBI-International Airport Investigation Division (IAID), together with the NAIA Anti-Illegal Drug Interdiction Task Group (NAIA-AIDITG), said a total of 8,402 grams of Methamphetamine Hydrochloride or shabu were seized during the operations conducted in Pasay City this May.

The largest haul was recovered on May 6 at the Customs International Arrival Area of NAIA Terminal 1, where two female passengers arriving from Phnom Penh, Cambodia via a Philippine Airlines flight were flagged during baggage inspection.

Authorities discovered around 8,324 grams of suspected shabu concealed inside their luggage, with an estimated street value of ₱56.6 million.

The two suspects, both residents of Novaliches, Quezon City, are now facing inquest proceedings before the Department of Justice for alleged violation of Section 4 or illegal importation under the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

Meanwhile, another interdiction operation on May 19 led authorities to intercept a suspicious outbound parcel at the AP Cargo hub along Domestic Road in Pasay City.

The package, which originated from Merville, Parañaque City and was intended for a recipient in Tagbilaran, Bohol, contained 78 grams of suspected shabu valued at ₱117,000.

Investigators said the illegal drugs were hidden inside three plastic containers labeled “MOMOM” and falsely declared as food items.

The second incident is being treated as a violation of Section 26 in relation to Section 5 of Republic Act No. 9165, which covers the transportation and delivery of illegal drugs.

Authorities said all confiscated substances were properly marked and inventoried in the presence of media representatives and barangay officials before being turned over to the PDEA Laboratory Service for forensic examination and safekeeping.