A day after a Norwegian woman was busted for P56.7 million worth of shabu found in her luggage, another illegal drugs courier, this time from South Africa and with P92.2 million worth of shabu, was nabbed by the joint operatives of Bureau of Customs (BOC), Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and NAIA Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group (NAIA-IADITG) in NAIA Terminal 3 in Pasay City on October 29, 2022.
At around 11 p.m., a female passenger aged 40, arrived in the country via flight EK 334, originating from Johannesburg, South Africa.
The authorities found the drugs hidden in a false compartment of the luggage the woman was carrying.
A field test was immediately made by the Customs Anti-Illegal Drug Task Force (CAIDTF) and the substance tested positive for shabu.
A joint inventory is now underway to ascertain the weight and value of the illegal drugs seized.
Similarly, a Norwegian passenger was also arrested by the authorities yesterday for attempting to bring in 8.34 kilos estimated at P56.7 million.
The passenger and the shabu shall be turned over to the PDEA for the institution of inquest proceedings for violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act (Republic Act 9165) in relation to Sections 118 (Prohibited Importation), 1113 (Goods Liable for Seizure and Forfeiture) and 1401 (Unlawful Importation) of the Republic Act 10863, otherwise known as the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA).
The Bureau of Customs, under the leadership of Commissioner Yogi Filemon L. Ruiz and aligned with the directives of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., said it will remain vigilant against the entry of prohibited drugs and other contraband in all airports and seaports nationwide. (JERRY S. TAN)
